Canada’s Prime Minister Trudeau survives a no-confidence vote in Parliament.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau successfully navigated a no-confidence vote on Wednesday, marking a significant test for his minority Liberal government, which has seen a decline in popularity after nine years in office.
In a heated debate characterized by raised voices and slammed desks, Parliament voted 211 to 120 against the Conservative motion aimed at unseating the Liberals and triggering snap elections.
Despite this victory, Trudeau’s government faces ongoing challenges, with the main opposition Conservatives, led by Pierre Poilievre, pledging to attempt another no-confidence vote as early as next Tuesday. Poilievre, who leads in public opinion polls, has been vocal about his desire for a snap election following the New Democratic Party (NDP) abandoning their coalition agreement with the Liberals, which has left Trudeau’s administration more vulnerable.
During the Commons debate, Poilievre criticized Trudeau for failing to address rising living costs, a housing crisis, and increasing crime, claiming that “the promise of Canada has been broken” after nearly a decade of Liberal governance.
However, other opposition parties have resisted Poilievre’s right-wing agenda, with Liberal House leader Karina Gould accusing the Conservatives of “playing games.” She described the decision to push for another no-confidence vote as “pretty lame.”
After the no-confidence vote, the NDP again aligned with the Liberals to pass legislation on capital gains taxes, avoiding an immediate political crisis. Poilievre has pledged to continue his efforts, with the next opportunity to challenge the government coming next week.
The separatist Bloc Quebecois has also indicated it will seek concessions from the Liberals to maintain its support beyond October. Trudeau, who first took office in 2015, has previously managed to defeat two Conservative leaders in elections in 2019 and 2021.
The NDP, previously allied with the Liberals, is now evaluating its voting strategy on a case-by-case basis, while Bloc leader Yves-Francois Blanchette has stated he will support the government until the end of October, unless there is no progress on legislative priorities.
In Canada’s Westminster parliamentary system, the ruling party must maintain the confidence of the House of Commons, requiring support from a majority of members. The current composition of the House includes 153 seats for the Liberals, 119 for the Conservatives, 33 for the Bloc Quebecois, and 25 for the NDP.
