MNI BRIEF: Trudeau To Keep Working As Opposition Seeks Ouster
MNI (OTTAWA) - Prime Minister Justin Trudeau signaled Friday he's staying in office after the last opposition party agreed to force him out with a nonconfidence motion after Parliament returns Jan. 27, and the leading Conservatives pushed Canada's ceremonial head of state to re-open the legislature to do that immediately.
“We know how important it is for Canadians that we be there to protect not just the Canadian economy, but for jobs, the cost-of-living challenges they’re facing that could get worse. We have a lot of work to do and that’s what we’re focused on,” Trudeau said after a cabinet meeting. He didn't answer questions about members of his Liberal Party calling for him to resign. Instead Trudeau wants to prepare for the inauguration of Donald Trump, whose call for a 25% tariff threatens three-quarters of Canada's exports. (MNI INTERVIEW: Trudeau Cabinet Disarray Fuels Trump Trade Risk)
Earlier today Trudeau restocked his cabinet after his finance minister quit, and the NDP said it will introduce its own nonconfidence motion when Parliament returns. Poilievre said he would ask the Governor General to re-open Parliament, but her traditional powers are usually for dealing with the prime minister.