Close X
Thursday, October 24, 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

Scams targeting Chinese community in Vancouver result in millions lost, police say

Scams targeting Chinese community in Vancouver result in millions lost, police say
Police in Vancouver are warning about three scams that are targeting the Chinese community after victims reported losing nearly $6 million this year.  They are investigating 26 files since Jan. 1, but investigators believe there are more victims who haven't come forward. 

Scams targeting Chinese community in Vancouver result in millions lost, police say

Body of missing hiker found after three-day search in western Alberta

Body of missing hiker found after three-day search in western Alberta
Mounties say the body of a hiker has been found after a three-day search in western Alberta. They say the death isn't believed to be criminal.

Body of missing hiker found after three-day search in western Alberta

Wildfires tick up with lightning in forecast for B.C.'s southern Interior

Wildfires tick up with lightning in forecast for B.C.'s southern Interior
The number of active wildfires in British Columbia is increasing after holding below 350 for days as officials warn of lightning in the forecast. There are just under 360 active blazes in B.C., including 25 sparked since Thursday as many areas in the southern part of the province bake under hot and dry conditions.

Wildfires tick up with lightning in forecast for B.C.'s southern Interior

Poilievre calls for tariffs on Chinese EVs, Liberals imply they're already coming

Poilievre calls for tariffs on Chinese EVs, Liberals imply they're already coming
Poilievre made his announcement in front of a few dozen workers at the Stelco steel plant in Hamilton, with steel being one of the products he says China is trying to undermine in Canada. Poilievre said the Chinese government is "exploiting weak labour and environmental standards to produce artificially cheap steel, aluminum and EVs that create more pollution."

Poilievre calls for tariffs on Chinese EVs, Liberals imply they're already coming

B.C. risks 'carpet' of rotting apples without help after co-op's closure: growers

B.C. risks 'carpet' of rotting apples without help after co-op's closure: growers
As gala apples ripen on British Columbia's trees, the president of the provincial fruit growers' group worries about a devastating season without a way for farmers to refrigerate their crops.  Peter Simonsen of the BC Fruit Growers' Association says without infrastructure provided by the BC Tree Fruits Cooperative, which abruptly closed last month, it may not be worth picking this year, leaving a "carpet of apples" on the floor of orchards.

B.C. risks 'carpet' of rotting apples without help after co-op's closure: growers

New database tracks more than 2,100 deaths in custody across Canada since 2000

New database tracks more than 2,100 deaths in custody across Canada since 2000
A new database from a project monitoring law enforcement and corrections in Canada lists more than 2,100 deaths in custody over the past 24 years. Alexander McClelland, associate criminology professor at Carleton University and lead researcher with the Tracking (In)Justice project, says the database was compiled using media reports, provincial data and more than 20 freedom of information requests.

New database tracks more than 2,100 deaths in custody across Canada since 2000