Bloc won't hold Liberals 'hostage' over seniors' benefits: cabinet minister

Liberal cabinet minister Steven Guilbeault says the Liberals will not be 'held hostage' by the Bloc Quebecois' demand to expand Old Age Security to more seniors.

Liberal cabinet minister Steven Guilbeault says the Liberals will not be "held hostage" by the Bloc Québécois' demand to expand Old Age Security (OAS) to more seniors.

"We're not going to be held hostage simply to extend the life of our government to something that makes absolutely no sense from a fiscal and from a social point of view," the environment and climate change minister said in an interview with CTV Question Period airing Sunday.

Since the NDP ended its supply-and-confidence deal with the Liberals in September, which guaranteed NDP support for shared priorities, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's government has faced two non-confidence motions put forth by the Conservatives. Both were defeated.

With newfound negotiating power, the Bloc Québécois has issued an ultimatum to the Liberals, giving them until Oct. 29 to enact a pair of private members bills or the party will start working with opposition parties to topple the government.

The legislation Bloc Leader Yves-François Blanchet wants the government to push through are Bill C-319, which proposes a 10 per cent increase to OAS payouts for seniors ages 65 to 74, and Bill C-282, which seeks to protect dairy, egg and poultry farmers in future trade talks.

Last month, the Bloc used its one opposition day of the fall sitting to put forth a motion seeking royal recommendation for its private member's bill to boost OAS. The motion passed, but most Liberal MPs voted against it – citing concerns over the cost and how the policy is targeted.

Government House Leader Karina Gould has since insisted her government is still open to the policy, but the vote would have set a bad precedent.