Trudeau made last-ditch effort to buy time for his government: sources
CBC
After announcing his departure, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau tried to reach an agreement with opposition leaders so that his government would survive a few more weeks in Parliament, Radio-Canada has learned.
Sources said the day after announcing he would resign on Monday, the prime minister personally called the leaders of the New Democratic Party and the Bloc Québécois.
He wanted to obtain a commitment from one or the other to vote in favour of the budget appropriations — a vote of confidence — at the end of March, once prorogation had passed, the sources said.
That vote of confidence would have ensured the survival of the government for a few more weeks and given the Liberal Party of Canada more time to elect its new leader.
But Trudeau's gambit faltered, with both the Bloc and the NDP refusing to back the embattled prime minister as they stood by their respective promises that they would bring down the government at the first opportunity.
During his conversation with NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh, Trudeau argued that NDP support would have made it possible to extend and expand dental care programs and the federal drug insurance plan. An NDP source with knowledge of the conversation said the government already has all the powers it needs.
"For Jagmeet and the NDP, it is not a question of helping the Liberals with their internal bickering and buying themselves time. Jagmeet is focused on the challenges that people face as well as the threat of Trump that weighs on our workers and our economy," the NDP source said in an email to CBC News.
Asked to comment on the prime minister's attempt to prolong his government, the response from the leader of the Bloc Québécois was short.
"The Bloc Québécois wants elections as soon as possible!" Yves-François Blanchet said.
Having failed to secure that extra time, the Liberal Party finally announced the details of an accelerated leadership race Thursday evening. The new Liberal leader will be announced on March 9.
Liberal authorities found themselves caught in a vice after the resignation of former finance minister Chrystia Freeland, which eventually led to Trudeau announcing his departure on Jan. 6.
A crucial budgetary deadline could lead to the fall of the Liberal government at the end of March.
Three times a year, Parliament must approve the government's budget appropriations, which cover the operating expenses of the government, its program funding and transfers, among other things.
The next deadline is scheduled for March 26, two days after the announced return of Parliament.
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