Fall sitting bookended by Liberal byelection losses ends with Trudeau government in tumult
CTV
The House of Commons adjourned on Tuesday, bringing an end to an unstable fall sitting that has been bookended by Liberal byelection losses. The conclusion of the fall sitting comes as Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's minority government is in turmoil.
The House of Commons adjourned on Tuesday, bringing an end to an unstable fall sitting that has been bookended by Liberal byelection losses. The conclusion of the fall sitting comes as Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's minority government is in turmoil.
From facing down a series of Conservative-led confidence votes and failing to pass nearly any legislation amid a persisting privilege debate filibuster, the Liberals were already heading into the holidays embattled.
But the shocking Monday departure of Chrystia Freeland and bombshell letter calling Trudeau out for wanting to move her out of finance amid her opposition to "costly political gimmicks" has revived pressure on the prime minister – both from a greater number of caucus members and from other parties – to resign or call an election.
With Trudeau telling his caucus he'd take time to reflect on the latest developments, and later expressing to loyal Liberal Party of Canada donors that "it is the absolute privilege" of his life to be prime minister, many questions remain, with no plans for the prime minister to attend question period or face reporters on Tuesday.
All of this is playing out as talk of a cabinet shuffle continues to linger, with Trudeau now needing to fill several vacancies on his front bench after a series of ministers have announced they won't be seeking re-election. On this front, the prime minister's chief of staff Katie Telford spent much of Monday meeting one-on-one with ministers, according to sources. Timing of the trip to Rideau Hall remains up in the air.
The majority of MPs voted to wrap up their day's work a few hours ahead of schedule on Tuesday, concluding just after question period. The Liberals and Bloc Quebecois supported the early end, while Conservatives and New Democrats voted against adjournment.
The House of Commons is not scheduled to resume until January 27.
