Canada, December 21:
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau faces the prospect of losing power early next year as New Democratic Party (NDP) leader Jagmeet Singh has announced plans to introduce a no-confidence motion against the minority Liberal government when Parliament resumes on January 27.
Singh, whose support has been crucial for Trudeau’s government, declared his intention to trigger an election by formally challenging the Liberals’ position in the House of Commons. This move could end Trudeau’s tenure of over nine years as prime minister if all opposition parties back the motion.
Current polls indicate that Trudeau’s Liberal Party, struggling with voter dissatisfaction over inflation and a housing crisis, could face a significant defeat by the right-leaning Conservatives in the next election.
Singh criticized Trudeau for being “too beholden to big business,” stating, “No matter who is leading the Liberal Party, this government’s time is up. We will put forward a clear motion of non-confidence in the next sitting of the House of Commons.”
The Bloc Quebecois leader has also vowed to support the motion, further reducing Trudeau’s chances of retaining power. The Conservatives, meanwhile, plan to petition Governor General Mary Simon to convene Parliament for an early no-confidence vote, though constitutional experts anticipate Simon would reject such a request.
“We cannot have a chaotic clown show running our government into the ground. What is clear is that Justin Trudeau does not have the confidence of Parliament,” said Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre.
Amid growing pressure for his resignation following the unexpected departure of Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland, Trudeau remained silent on the matter. Although he oversaw a cabinet shuffle, he refrained from addressing the media and canceled customary end-of-year interviews.
Votes on budgets and key spending measures are considered confidence votes, and the government is required to allocate time for opposition motions each session, allowing for a non-confidence motion to be tabled.
Singh’s decision to act now carries political risks, as polls indicate the NDP may also face challenges in the upcoming election. However, Darrell Bricker, CEO of Ipsos-Reid, suggested Singh is seizing an opportunity to position the NDP as an alternative to the Liberals for voters opposed to the Conservatives. “Waiting to give the Liberals and even Trudeau a chance to get off the mat is ill-advised,” Bricker said via email.
A source close to Trudeau suggested the prime minister would use the Christmas break to contemplate his future, with no announcements expected before January. However, Singh’s urgency could leave the Liberals unprepared for an election, as choosing a new party leader through a convention typically takes months.
Around 20 Liberal lawmakers have publicly urged Trudeau to step down, but his cabinet remains loyal. This political uncertainty comes at a critical moment as U.S. President-elect Donald Trump prepares to take office on January 20, with plans to impose a 25% tariff on Canadian imports—a move that could significantly impact Canada’s economy.
Provincial premiers, aiming to address the looming tariffs, have voiced concerns over the instability in Ottawa, calling for a more cohesive national strategy during this turbulent time.
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