Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's government is set to face a no-confidence vote, after his primary political opponent introduced the motion in Canada’s parliament on Tuesday. The Conservative Party, led by Pierre Poilievre, has capitalised on Trudeau's declining popularity and has aggressively pushed for a snap election. The vote is scheduled for Wednesday following a debate in the House of Commons.
Poilievre, far ahead in public opinion polls, has been advocating for an election since the New Democratic Party (NDP) withdrew its coalition agreement with the Liberals earlier this month, leaving the Trudeau government vulnerable, news agency AFP reported. Kicking off the debate, Poilievre criticised Trudeau for failing to address issues such as the escalating cost of living, the housing crisis, and crime rates, while accusing the government of doubling the national debt.
Poilievre stated, "The promise of Canada, after nine years of Liberal government, is broken." According to AFP, he further outlined his vision for the country, saying, that if elected as Prime Minister, he would implement "a common-sense plan to axe the tax (on carbon emissions), build the homes, fix the budget and stop the crime."
Addressing the struggles faced by Canadians, Trudeau acknowledged during a Monday appearance on the Late Show with Stephen Colbert in New York that people were enduring "a really tough time." He noted, "People are hurting. People are having trouble paying for groceries, paying for rent, filling up the tank," adding that many are "looking at change." However, he remained resolute, vowing to "keep fighting."
On Tuesday, at a United Nations news conference, Trudeau criticised Poilievre’s proposals, stating, "The best way to get through these difficult times is not to cut services and programmes that Canadians rely on." He added, "I'm thinking about how we can best help Canadians."
Will No-Confidence Motion Against Canada PM Justin Trudeau Succeed?
Despite the strong rhetoric, the no-confidence motion is not expected to succeed, as two smaller political factions have signalled their intent to side with the government, as per AFP's report. However, Poilievre has vowed to continue pushing, with another opportunity to challenge the Trudeau administration expected in early October.
Since coming to power in 2015, Trudeau has managed to retain leadership, defeating two of Poilievre's predecessors in the 2019 and 2021 elections. His deal with the NDP had initially secured his government’s stability until late 2025, but the NDP exited the agreement due to declining popularity among its own supporters.
According to a recent poll conducted by Angus Reid, the Conservatives lead with 43 per cent of voting intentions, significantly ahead of the Liberals, who stand at 21 per cent. The NDP trails with 19 per cent, the report stated. Under Canada’s parliamentary system, the ruling party must hold the confidence of the House of Commons, which requires support from the majority of its members. Currently, the Liberals control 153 seats, compared to 119 held by the Conservatives, 33 by the Bloc Québécois, and 25 by the NDP.
Despite the current political uncertainty, analysts cited by AFP suggest that an election is unlikely before spring 2025.