Canadian PM Trudeau faces confidence vote threat after Liberal defeat.
Toronto: Battered by yet another by-election loss in Quebec, Canada PM Justin Trudeau could face a no-confidence motion as early as next week, dramatically shortening his term.
The governing Liberals lost the Montreal-area riding of LaSalle-Émard-Verdun to Bloc Québécois, following a previous upset defeat. By-elections are called due to resignations and the results indicate waning fortunes for Trudeau’s party.
Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre has signaled his intention to trigger a confidence vote, saying “Time’s up”. Polls show the Tories hold a commanding lead nationally that could translate to a majority in Parliament.
This comes after the NDP ended its pact propping up the minority government, leaving it without a stable alliance. Trudeau said citizens need greater engagement to understand the stakes in the next polls slated for October 2023.
But losses raise risks of an earlier national vote if the confidence motion succeeds. Much depends on Bloc and NDP support for the beleaguered administration.
