OTTAWA — Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s leadership will continue to be tested this week as he faces deadlines from Liberal MPs who want him to resign and the Bloc Québécois who threaten to trigger an early election.
At the Liberal caucus meeting Wednesday, 24 MPs delivered a letter to the prime minister asking him to resign and giving him until Oct. 28 to respond.
Trudeau told these MPs that he would reflect on what they had to say during the three-hour meeting, but one day later, he told reporters he would stay on as Liberal leader.
Meanwhile, the Bloc has given the Liberal government until Oct. 29 to pass two pieces of legislation that would increase old-age security payments for seniors and bolster supply management.
If the Liberals do not comply, Bloc Leader Yves-François Blanchet says his party will begin discussions with other opposition parties about toppling the minority government.
Most Liberals voted against a Bloc motion earlier this month calling for the government to give a royal recommendation to a bill that would increase pensions for seniors under the age of 75 by 10 per cent.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 27, 2024.
Nojoud Al Mallees, The Canadian Press