Speaker schedules opposition motions after Tories opt against own non-confidence vote
CTV
The latest attempt to bring down the minority Liberal government has stalled after the Conservatives blocked their own non-confidence motion from going ahead.
The House of Commons Speaker has intervened to end a parliamentary impasse, ruling that opposition business will happen later this week after the Conservatives blocked their own ability to try and bring down the government this morning.
Greg Fergus has scheduled opposition days for Thursday and Friday, meaning the government could face another non-confidence vote as early as Monday.
His decision follows an unsuccessful attempt this morning by Liberal House leader Karina Gould to temporarily stop a filibuster that has taken up much of the Commons' time for nearly two months.
The Conservatives signalled an intent to introduce a non-confidence motion quoting NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh's criticism of the Liberals, in a bid to get his caucus to vote to bring down the minority government.
But the Tories rejected Gould's offer to have that motion heard today, with the party saying it would only end its filibuster if the Liberals provide documents they're demanding, or if the NDP agrees to vote non-confidence in the government.
The filibuster is part of an ongoing privilege debate related to a Conservative demand that the Liberals provide unredacted documents to the RCMP about allegations of misspending at a now-defunct green technology fund.
