Close X
Thursday, November 14, 2024
ADVT 
National

Parliament returns amid partisan wrangling, rumblings about Trudeau's leadership

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 21 Oct, 2024 11:24 AM
  • Parliament returns amid partisan wrangling, rumblings about Trudeau's leadership

The House of Commons returns today from a weeklong break, but it's unlikely to be business as usual.

Members of Parliament resumed an 11th day of debate on a Conservative demand for documents about federal spending on green technology projects.

The matter of privilege has all but paralyzed House business as the Liberals try to maintain a grip on an increasingly fractious minority Parliament.

NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh has also written a letter to House Speaker Greg Fergus, asking for an emergency debate on the RCMP allegations that agents of the Indian government were linked to cases of murder, extortion and coercion in Canada. 

Canada expelled six Indian diplomats and India in turn sent six Canadian envoys home as a result of the allegations.

In the letter, Singh says "the severity of the situation and the danger it poses to all Canadians" warrants an emergency debate so parliamentarians can discuss potential actions to protect people. 

An NDP spokesperson said if Fergus approves the request, the debate could happen as early as Monday evening, once the regularly scheduled sitting of Parliament is over. 

On Wednesday, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is expected to face the most serious challenge to his leadership to date.

Several media reports have detailed that a group of Liberal MPs plan to confront Trudeau at the party's Wednesday caucus meeting over sagging poll numbers and gloomy electoral prospects.

The precise strategy and breadth of the attempt to push Trudeau to resign remain unclear, though some MPs who spoke to The Canadian Press on background said the number of members involved is significant.

Trudeau could sidestep both problems by taking the controversial step of proroguing Parliament, which would end the session and set the stage for a fresh throne speech.

Some political watchers have also mused that would allow time for the Liberals to hold leadership race if Trudeau were to step down. 

The prime minister plans to soon shuffle his cabinet to replace four ministers who don't plan to run again in the next election.

A general election must be held by October next year, but it could come sooner if the Liberals lose the confidence of the House.

MORE National ARTICLES

Arrest made in Surrey stabbing

Arrest made in Surrey stabbing
On November 22nd of last year at approximately 12:08 p.m., the Surrey RCMP responded to a report of a stabbing outside of Tamanawis Secondary School. Officers located an 18-year old, later identified as Mehakpreet Sethi of Surrey, suffering life-threatening injuries. On Wednesday, as a result of advancements in the ongoing investigation, IHIT arrested a 17 year old suspect in relation to the murder of Mr. Sethi.  

Arrest made in Surrey stabbing

Burnaby's SFU campus behind picket lines

Burnaby's SFU campus behind picket lines
A statement on the S-F-U website says pickets were at several locations and it advised students with classes or labs in any of the affected buildings to check with their instructors or teaching assistants about possible disruptions.

Burnaby's SFU campus behind picket lines

Trans-Canada Highway closed, crews respond to crash in western Manitoba

Trans-Canada Highway closed, crews respond to crash in western Manitoba
RCMP have posted on social media that they are on the scene of a very serious collision near the intersection of Highway 1 and Highway 5. The STARS air ambulance service says it has been dispatched to the scene.

Trans-Canada Highway closed, crews respond to crash in western Manitoba

Drop in housing starts in Vancouver

Drop in housing starts in Vancouver
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation says housing starts in Vancouver tumbled 45 per cent in May. The drop covered all types of projects -- from apartments and condos to other kinds of multi-unit developments -- and the trend was reflected in Montreal, where starts were off 35 per cent, and in Toronto, where starts fell 28 per cent.

Drop in housing starts in Vancouver

Ottawa confirms land expropriations for rail bypass after Lac-Mégantic tragedy

Ottawa confirms land expropriations for rail bypass after Lac-Mégantic tragedy
Ottawa released a statement Wednesday confirming that it was going ahead with the expropriations without the consent of all affected land owners. Federal Transport Minister Omar Alghabra and Procurement Minister Helena Jaczek say in the release that the federal government will take physical possession of the parcels of land required for the project on Aug. 1.  

Ottawa confirms land expropriations for rail bypass after Lac-Mégantic tragedy

Ottawa boosts Haiti sanctions, police funding during summit aimed at resolving crisis

Ottawa boosts Haiti sanctions, police funding during summit aimed at resolving crisis
Ottawa is also adding $13 million to its funding for law enforcement, as Canada and the U.S. focus on shoring up the work of the Haitian National Police as they try to stop gangs from committing brazen acts of violence and controlling critical infrastructure.

Ottawa boosts Haiti sanctions, police funding during summit aimed at resolving crisis