Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau faces No-Confidence motion in Parliament
During his appearance on the Late Show with Stephen Colbert in New York, Justin Trudeau admitted that Canadians are going through "a really tough time."
Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau faces no-confidence motion from his main rival in parliament, marking a significant test for his unpopular minority government. A vote on the Conservative motion, though unlikely to succeed, is scheduled for Wednesday following a debate in the House of Commons.
Leading in public opinion polls, Tory leader Pierre Poilievre has been eager for a snap election ever since the left-leaning New Democratic Party (NDP) ended its coalition agreement with the Liberals earlier this month, putting the Trudeau government at risk of collapse.
Opening the debate, a fiery Poilievre criticised Trudeau for his handling of key issues such as skyrocketing living costs, the housing crisis, and rising crime, while also doubling the national debt.
Poilievre stated that, after nine years under the Liberal government, the “promise of Canada is broken.”
He pledged that, if elected prime minister, he would introduce a “common sense plan” to scrap the carbon tax, build more homes, balance the budget, and tackle rising crime.
During his appearance on the Late Show with Stephen Colbert in New York, Justin Trudeau admitted that Canadians are going through “a really tough time.”
“People are struggling. They’re having trouble affording groceries, paying rent, and filling their gas tanks,” he said, adding that many “are looking for change.”
However, Trudeau promised to “keep fighting.”
At a United Nations press conference on Tuesday, Trudeau took aim at Pierre Poilievre, criticising him for suggesting that “cutting services and programs Canadians depend on” is the solution to these challenges.
“Our priority is finding the best ways to support Canadians,” he stressed. The no-confidence motion is expected to fail, with two smaller political factions signalling their support for the government and intent to vote against it.
Despite this, Poilievre remains determined, with another chance to challenge the government expected in early October.
Trudeau, who first came to power in 2015, has held his position by defeating two of Poilievre’s predecessors in the 2019 and 2021 elections. His agreement with the New Democratic Party (NDP) to support the Liberals was meant to keep his government in power until late 2025.
However, the NDP, seeing its association with the Liberals eroding its own support, decided to end the deal early.
A recent Angus Reid poll shows the Conservatives leading with 43% of voter support, compared to 21% for the Liberals and 19% for the NDP.
In Canada’s Westminster parliamentary system, the ruling party must maintain the confidence of the House of Commons, meaning it needs a majority of members’ support.
The Liberals currently hold 153 seats, while the Conservatives have 119, the Bloc Quebecois 33, and the NDP 25.
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