Ministers on Liberal caucus unrest, Bloc Québécois deadline – October 22, 2024
Ministers speak briefly with reporters on Parliament Hill before the federal cabinet holds its weekly meeting. Sean Fraser (housing), Mark Holland (health), Mélanie Joly (foreign affairs), Randy Boissonnault (employment) Jean-Yves Duclos (public services) and Marc Miller (immigration), Pascale St-Onge (heritage), Ya’ara Saks (mental health and addictions), Mary Ng (trade), Arif Virani (justice), Jonathan Wilkinson (natural resources), Marci Ien (women and gender equality and youth), François-Philippe Champagne (innovation), Dan Vandal (northern affairs), Bill Blair (defence), Lawrence MacAulay (agriculture and agri-food), Ahmed Hussen (international development), Diane Lebouthillier (fisheries), Harji Sajjan (emergency preparedness) and Anita Anand (transport, Treasury Board president) face questions on their support for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau amidst reports of Liberal caucus unrest. According to media reports, a group of Liberal MPs plan to formally ask the prime minister to step down as party leader at Wednesday’s federal caucus meeting.
Joly also comments on the ongoing diplomatic dispute with India and on efforts to de-escalate the conflict in the Middle East as U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken tours the region.
Karina Gould (government House leader) and Duclos respond to questions on the Bloc Québécois’ deadline of October 29 to pass two of its private member’s bills to ensure its continued support of the minority Liberal government.
Patty Hajdu (Indigenous services) discusses the AFN’s recent decision to vote against a $47.8-billion proposal to reform the First Nations child and family services program. The funding is part of a settlement agreement between First Nations and the federal government over underfunding of on-reserve child-welfare services.
Additionally, St-Onge also speaks about the appointment of Marie-Philippe Bouchard as the new president and CEO of CBC/Radio-Canada. Bouchard will take over from outgoing president Catherine Tait on January 3, 2025.
Additionally, Duclos and Miller comment on the Quebec’ government’s pledge to strengthen the province’s secularism rules.
Blair also discusses the 10th anniversary of the Parliament Hill shooting.
Boissonnault also comments the results of the New Brunswick election, which saw the provincial Liberal party led by Susan Holt win a majority government against the Progressive Conservative party led by Blaine Higgs.
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