Conservative Party of Canada Leader Pierre Poirierbre said Wednesday he plans to introduce a motion of no confidence “at the earliest opportunity” in an effort to topple Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's Liberal government.
Poirievre called on New Democratic Party leader Jagmeet Singh to support the motion and call an election.
“Is Jagmeet Singh betraying Canadians again?” Poirierbre said at a news conference in Ottawa. “It's time for the NDP to act or shut up.”
Singh refused to say whether his party would support the Conservatives.
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“I have said that on any vote we will look at the results and then make a decision,” Singh told a caucus meeting in Montreal. “We will decide what is best for Canadians. Unlike Pierre Poirierbre, who likes to game the ball, we want to get things done for Canadians.”
Singh ignored Poirievre's demands for a response ahead of Monday's by-election.
“I will personally tell Pierre Poirierbre that I will not listen to you,” Singh said.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau addresses reporters as he arrives at the Liberal caucus hall, Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2024, in Nanaimo, British Columbia. (Daryl Dyck/The Canadian Press via The Associated Press)
Last week, the NDP walked away from the supply and confidence agreement with Trudeau's minority Liberal government that helped keep it in power. The deal, agreed in 2022, meant the NDP would support the federal government in a no-confidence vote in exchange for progress on shared priorities.
“We have decided that the agreement cannot continue any longer,” Singh said on Wednesday. “We will now return to a normal minority government and take decisions based on all the votes that are before us.”
The next Canadian federal election is scheduled for October 2025.
The Liberal Party currently holds 154 seats in Canada's 338-seat House of Commons. The Conservative Party has 119 seats, and the New Democrats have 24. The Bloc Québécois, a party based solely in Quebec and advocating for Quebec sovereignty, has 32 seats.
Canada's Parliament is scheduled to reconvene on Monday.
Bloc Québécois Leader Yves-François Blanchet said his party would support the government if the Liberals agreed to issues such as increased support for seniors and giving Quebec more power on immigration.
Most polls have the Conservatives leading the Liberals by a wide margin, with the New Democrats in third place, and Trudeau is also deeply unpopular among many voters.
Speaking at a caucus meeting in Nanaimo, British Columbia, Trudeau was asked about comments made by Quebec Liberal MP Alexandra Mendes, who said in a French-language interview that many of her supporters believe Trudeau should step down as leader.
“In a democracy, people have different perspectives and it's important to have those perspectives, including from the Liberal party,” he said. “The reality is we're all focused on what we need to do to make sure Canadians are supported and have confidence in the future.”
Trudeau said the government will continue to put in place programs to help Canadians, such as dental care for seniors and child care.
In June, the Liberal Party suffered a major defeat in a by-election, losing the Toronto seat it had held for 30 years.
Two more by-elections will be held Monday in Montreal and Winnipeg.
Trudeau was asked whether the election was a referendum on his leadership.
“Every by-election is super important,” he said. “It's a moment where voters can really voice their concerns, but also their ambitions for the future.”
Poiriervre also criticized Trudeau for appointing Mark Carney, a former governor of the Bank of England and the Bank of Canada, to chair the task force on economic growth.
Poiriervre called Carney an unelected “phantom finance minister.”
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“If you're going to pull the strings, you should be on the floor of the House,” he said.
