The Conservatives’ first attempt to topple the Liberal government is likely to fail, after Bloc Quebecois Leader Yves-François Blanchet told reporters that lawmakers would hold a vote of confidence in the government.
Conservative leader Pierre Poirievre confirmed on Wednesday that his party would table a motion of no confidence next week, and the wording of the motion is quite terse:
“Parliament has no confidence in the Premier and the government,” the motion states, a spokesperson for Poirievre confirmed to CTV News.
Poirierbre says he is doing this to force a “carbon tax election.”
It’s the party’s first chance to topple Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s minority government since the governing and confidence agreement between the Liberals and New Democratic Party ended earlier this month.
The first Conservative opposition meeting of the autumn parliament is tentatively scheduled for Tuesday, with a vote next Wednesday.
But Ms Blanchett poured cold water on the issue, telling reporters “the answer is no” and that her party would not vote with the Conservatives.
“We have already had this discussion many times,” Blanchette said in French. “The motion says absolutely nothing. It essentially says: ‘Do you want to replace Justin Trudeau with Pierre Poirièbvre?’ And the answer is no.”
The Bloc leader added that his party serves Quebecers, not Conservatives, and the two groups are not the same.
Asked if her comments signalled confidence in the prime minister and his government, Blanchett smiled and said: “No.”
But it means there is “reasonable confidence” it can pressure the Liberals to make progress on the Bloc’s legislative priorities, he explained.
Poirievre also notified the NDP to support the motion.
“I also call on the NDP, don’t wait for the Bloc to bail you out. Announce your position on this motion that would trigger a carbon tax election,” Poirierbre said. “The motion is on its way to you now. It’s in your inbox.”
For the motion to pass, a majority of the 336 sitting MPs would need to vote no confidence in Trudeau.
Currently, the Liberals hold 154 seats and the Conservatives have 119. After Monday’s by-elections, Bloc councillors have 33 seats and New Democrats have 25. The Greens hold two seats and there are three independents.
Therefore, the combined Liberal and Bloc votes would be enough to defeat the motion.
Liberal MPs were asked about the no-confidence motion on the way to their caucus meeting on Wednesday, and some of them said they weren’t worried about the vote.
“We’re ready for a vote of confidence,” said Natural Resources Minister Jonathan Wilkinson. “I think it’s important that we get that vote of confidence done first.”
“The last thing Canadians need is instability,” Industry Minister François-Philippe Champagne said.
“I’m confident that (the NDP) understands the mood of Canadians, and Canadians don’t want to go to an election,” Champagne said.
“This is not a game,” said Government Floor Leader Karina Gould when asked if she was confident she could secure support from the New Democrats and the Bloc Quebecois.
Gould also spoke directly about NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh’s decision to withdraw from the pact with the Liberal Party.
“If he cares about climate change, if he cares about health care, if he cares about dental care, if he cares about progressive policies for Canadians, he’s going to have to show that to Canadians,” Gould said.
With files from CTV News’ Rachel Aiello and Spencer Van Dyke