After first non-confidence motion failed, Poilievre is back with another one
This latest attempt to bring down the government is also likely to fail
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre tabled a non-confidence motion in the House of Commons on Thursday — less than 24 hours after the last one failed.
This latest attempt to bring down the government is likely destined to fail as well, given that the NDP and Bloc Québécois have agreed already to stand with the Liberals — at least for now.
The Bloc has given the Liberals until Oct. 29 to top up pensions and protect supply-managed farm sectors like dairy, eggs and poultry from future trade deals. Bloc Leader Yves-François Blanchet has said that if the federal government doesn't meet his demands, he'll push for an early election.
After ending the supply-and-confidence agreement it had with the Liberals, the NDP has been coy about how long it's willing to support the government; party representatives have said only that they will evaluate these votes on a "case-by-case" basis.
Poilievre's new motion calls on MPs to trigger a federal election because home prices and crime rates are up, among other perceived failures.
"The House has lost confidence in the government and offers Canadians the option to axe the tax, build the homes, fix the budget and stop the crime," the motion reads, repeating some of Poilievre's preferred slogans.
"Who could be against this?" Poilievre asked in question period regarding his motion.
Poilievre wasn't in the Commons himself this morning to table the document. He let MP Luc Berthold, the party's deputy opposition House leader, take the lead — perhaps a sign that the party doesn't expect the motion to go anywhere.
"Who's opposed to that motion? Canadians," said government House leader Karina Gould.
"If Canadians are against all of those things, if that's the case, why won't she let them decide in a carbon tax election now?" Poilievre said in return.
Motion shows 'desperation,' Gould says
Gould said it's "a little sad" that Poilievre is reviving a motion similar to one that was voted down just yesterday.
"I think it shows his desperation," she said.
If this motion fails as expected, the Conservatives have at least three more opportunities to table non-confidence motions before Christmas to try to bring down the Liberals and send Canadians to the polls.
There could be other chances to topple the Liberals through upcoming votes on spending-related matters, which are usually considered confidence votes.
Under Canada's Westminster system of parliamentary democracy, the prime minister and his government must enjoy the confidence of a majority of MPs to remain in office.
If the Liberal government wants to continue winning those confidence votes, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his cabinet have to convince at least one of the major opposition parties to vote their way.
This latest motion comes after a fractious day in the Commons Wednesday, when MPs traded pointed barbs and engaged in some name-calling.
A crass remark from a Conservative MP in question period about Trudeau was condemned Wednesday as homophobic.
Trudeau said the Liberal side is forced to deal with a barrage of "crap" from the Conservatives on a daily basis.
Poilievre, in turn, was accused by Trudeau of not being concerned about the plight of single mothers because he voted against social programs that could help them.
At one point, Trudeau accused Poilievre of planning to create a two-tier health-care system by privatizing care, a claim the Conservative leader said was "disinformation from a flailing and desperate prime minister clinging to power."
Trudeau said Poilievre's "little performances, the little rhymes and slogans," are growing tiresome.
Speaking to reporters before question period Thursday, Health Minister Mark Holland said Liberals are getting frustrated with the opposition parties, particularly the Conservatives, "denigrating" them and hurling "personal slurs all day long."
"They say, 'That's one we're taking. We've got your seat. You're done.' Like, what?" Holland said. "In what other workplace would this be acceptable? Take a look at their behaviour."
Conservative MP Michelle Rempel Garner said Trudeau has been through too many scandals — his vacation to "billionaire island," the WE Charity scandal, the SNC-Lavalin affair, the blackface incident — and it's time for him to go.
"The House environment here is deteriorating rapidly. We need an election — we need an election now," she said.
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