Author: Troy Patterson
After months of turmoil within his party, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced he was stepping down as leader of the Liberal party on Monday morning. “This country deserves a real choice in the next election, and it has become clear to me that if I’m having to fight internal battles, I cannot be the best option in that election,” Trudeau said during the announcement.Trudeau’s meteoric rise to power began in the riding of Papineau in 2008, when the former schoolteacher was elected MP of the district.Five years later, he was leading the Liberal party, which was in shambles following a…
After nearly 12 years at the helm of the Liberal Party of Canada, Justin Trudeau says he will step down from the party’s top job once a new leader is chosen. But who comes next? And how will the party select a new leader?Outside his residence in Ottawa, Trudeau told reporters of his intention to step down following months of mounting pressure.“I intend to resign as party leader, as prime minister, after the party selects its next leader through a robust nationwide competitive process,” Trudeau said.Trudeau said he informed the Liberal party president on Sunday evening.“Last night, I asked the…
In the wake of Justin Trudeau’s announcement Monday that he will step down as Canada’s prime minister and leader of the Liberal party, incoming U.S. president Donald Trump is, once again, claiming that many Canadians want to see our country become a U.S. state. In a post to his social media platform Truth Social Monday, Trump wrote “many people in Canada LOVE being the 51st State. Donald Trump, once again, is suggesting the idea that Canada merge with the U.S. and become the 51st state. Truth Social “The United States can no longer suffer the massive Trade Deficits and Subsidies…
Justin Trudeau often seemed most comfortable when he was playing the role of the underdog and overcoming expectations. Throughout his career he’s been dismissed as a lightweight, first by members of his own party, then by a Conservative regime that sneered at his eligibility to lead the country, and by his opposition critics ever since.His greatest electoral success — taking the Liberals from a third-place rump to a commanding majority government in 2015 — is emblematic. His critics claimed he was “just not ready,” made cracks about his hair or flashy socks, and watched in disbelief as Canadians disagreed.There was…
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Monday said he has prorogued Parliament to allow the Liberal Party to hold a leadership contest, and will resign after his successor is chosen. Trudeau said Gov. Gen. Mary Simon has agreed with his request to prorogue Parliament until March 24.The move means opposition parties can’t trigger an election with a non-confidence motion before the Liberals have a new leader, and all parliamentary business has stopped. 2:22 What happens if Trudeau resigns? Speaking to reporters, Trudeau defended his move as necessary to clear a legislative standstill in the House of Commons, and expressed confidence his…
As Congress convenes during a winter storm to certify President-elect Donald Trump’s election, the legacy of Jan. 6 hangs over the proceedings with an extraordinary fact: The candidate who tried to overturn the previous election won this time and is legitimately returning to power. Lawmakers will gather noontime Monday under the tightest national security level possible. Layers of tall black fencing flank the U.S. Capitol complex in a stark reminder of what happened four years ago, when a defeated Trump sent his mob to “fight like hell” in what became the most gruesome attack on the seat of American democracy…
Monday could mark a historic week in Canadian politics if the growing chorus calling for the resignation of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau gets its way. The Globe and Mail is reporting that Trudeau is expected to announce he is stepping down as Liberal party leader as early as Monday.Trudeau has faced mounting calls for his resignation from MPs in his caucus as public opinion polls have continued to put the governing Liberals trailing far behind the Conservatives.The Globe report says three sources, who weren’t authorized to speak about the matter publicly, did not know a specific timeline but they expected…
The novelist Margaret Atwood once met a neurosurgeon who told her he was a big fan of hers, that he’d read all of her books and that, when he retired, he, too hoped to write some books. “What a coincidence,” Atwood is said to have replied. “Because when I retire, I hope to take up neurosurgery.”That anecdote was passed along by Rob Oliphant, the Liberal Member of Parliament for Don Valley West, when he was asked before Christmas about the type of leader the Liberals ought to turn to — should that job become vacant this week.Oliphant was not speaking…
Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen on Sunday announced that he would meet with far-right politician Herbert Kickl as speculation grows that he will ask the Freedom Party leader to form a government. Van der Bellen made the announcement after meeting with Chancellor Karl Nehammer and others at his presidential palace.Nehammer has announced his intention to resign after coalition talks between his conservative Austrian People’s Party and the center-left Social Democrats collapsed over the budget.Nehammer has ruled out working with Kickl, but others within his party are less adamant.Earlier Sunday, the People’s Party nominated its general secretary, Christian Stocker, as…
The head of the RCMP unit in charge of protecting politicians says the force is ready for a looming federal election, even as it deals with an “unprecedented” level of threats against MPs and candidates. Michelle Paradis, the RCMP assistant commissioner in charge of protective policing, says requests for protection are continuing to increase, and more members are being recruited to meet the demand. Those members are consistently being trained up on new and emerging threats at home and from abroad, with the goal of ensuring they are “constantly vigilant,” she said.“What I want is for our officers to be…