Trudeau faces political turmoil as by-election defeat sparks potential no-confidence vote
PTC News Desk: Following a stinging defeat in a Quebec by-election, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's government is bracing for a possible no-confidence vote as early as next week. The ruling Liberal Party lost the LaSalle-Émard-Verdun riding to Louis-Philippe Sauvé of the Bloc Québécois. This seat had been considered a Liberal stronghold, previously held by former Cabinet Minister David Lametti, who won the 2021 election with a significant margin.
This defeat, compounded by the loss of another previously secure Liberal seat in Toronto-St. Paul’s in June, has deepened concerns about Trudeau’s diminishing political standing. The Conservative Party, led by Pierre Poilievre, is expected to introduce a motion of no confidence soon. Poilievre, in a post on X (formerly Twitter), underscored the challenges Trudeau’s government faces, writing, “Taxes up. Costs up. Crime’s up. Time’s up.”
A recent poll by Abacus Data revealed a significant lead for the Conservatives, with 43% of committed voters backing them, compared to just 22% for the Liberals. If these numbers were reflected in an election, the Liberals could be reduced to just 32 seats in the House of Commons, well behind the Conservatives, Bloc Québécois, and New Democratic Party (NDP).
Trudeau, despite the setbacks, has not indicated plans to step down. In response to the by-election loss, he emphasised the importance of voter engagement, stating, “We need people to be more engaged, we need people to understand what’s at stake in this upcoming election.”
Although the next federal election is scheduled for October 2025, a no-confidence motion could force an early vote. The Liberals hold a minority government with 154 seats and would need the support of either the Bloc Québécois or the NDP to survive. However, the NDP recently withdrew from the Supply and Confidence Agreement, further destabilizing Trudeau’s position and leaving his political future uncertain.
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- With inputs from agencies
