Reaction has been quick after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced on Jan. 6 that he will eventually be stepping down as both Liberal leader and Prime Minister.
Trudeau made the announcement but his leaving won’t become effective until a successor to him as Liberal leader is chosen and he has also prorogued Parliament until March 24, preventing opposition parties from delivering a non-confidence vote before then.
Battle River-Crowfoot MP Damien Kurek, a longtime vocal opponent of the Prime Minister, didn’t hold back in offering his condemnation of the outgoing prime minister.
“Today, we see a coward and liar announce to the nation that he is terrified to face the people he is supposed to lead. Trudeau’s staying or going doesn’t matter; the entire Liberal Party are putting themselves and their own interests before their country.
“Not only did he announce his resignation, but Trudeau also announced that he is shutting down Parliament and committees for two months.
“He blames parliamentary dysfunction as the reason for prorogation but failed to mention that it is Liberal scandals causing the dysfunction, specifically the Liberal Government’s refusal to hand over unredacted documents to the RCMP related to the $400 million Green Slush Fund scandal.
“We have seen this pattern since 2015, and Canadians have suffered the consequences. From attacks on energy, agriculture, and fundamental rights, Canadians are hurting after more than nine years of Liberal mismanagement.
“Regardless of who the leader of the Liberal Party is today or in the future, Canadians deserve better, and they deserve a choice. Common Sense Conservatives led by Pierre Poilievre are ready to restore the promise of Canada.”
Lakeland MP Shannon Stubbs is currently out of the country and was unavailable for comment on Trudeau’s announcement by press time.
Meanwhile Premier Danielle Smith, who spent much of the pre Christmas period meeting with U.S. politicians, and is planning on attending President elect Donald Trump’s inauguration in two weeks, said she was disappointed with Trudeau’s decision and would rather have seen a general election called.
“I’m a bit disappointed that we didn’t get an election call today. I think that would have been the better outcome, and it would have allowed for the prime minister to go to the public and see whether or not they support his agenda over the last number of years,” Smith said.
Smith said she hopes the next prime minister will be someone who supports Alberta’s aspirations to double oil and gas production, remove the carbon tax, ensure there is no emissions cap on production and overall “stay in their own lane.”
Federal NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh said that it doesn’t matter who leads the Liberal party in the future saying, “they don’t deserve another chance.”
He said as soon as there is a non-confidence vote the NDP will be voting against the Liberals in favour of an election.
John Mather
Staff Reporter