‘Disappointed’ by resignation announcement

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This article was published 14/01/2025 (275 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

One of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s most constant critics is disappointed following Monday’s announcement of his pending resignation and the proroguing of parliament.

But for Provencher Conservative MP Ted Falk, it’s not because he’ll miss the Liberal leader.

“I had hoped what we would see rather would have been a call for an election,” he said. “I’m convinced that’s what Canadians want.”

Instead of moving to the polls, Canadians learned that Trudeau will step down after a new leader is chosen. Parliament has been prorogued until March 24 which means no business will get done and all bills will need to be reintroduced.

This announcement concerns Falk.

“He hasn’t resigned yet and he says he intends to resign when the Liberal Party selects a new leader, so I guess now we have to wait and see if that actually happens,” he said. “The prorogation actually leaves him in power for another two-and-a-half, almost three months.”

Falk said Canadians are ready for an election.

Instead, they will have to wait until parliament resumes with a throne speech. The debate that follows will see a vote of support, a confidence motion that the Liberals are not expected to pass.

Falk said he thinks Jagmeet Singh and the NDP will vote non-confidence as promised.

“I’m expecting he will follow through,” he said, adding that Singh earns his pension benefits as of Feb. 25.

“It appears to be a motivating factor for him,” the Provencher MP who earned his pension benefits in 2019 said.

Polling date recorded in December predict a strong Conservative majority.

Poll Tracker, published by CBC News examined polls throughout the month conducted by organizations including the Agnus Reid Institute, Nanos Research, Leger, Ipsos Global New, EKOS Research, Mainstreet Research and Abacus Data.

Those polls give Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre 44.2 percent support compared to the Liberal’s 20.1 percent, which is only slightly ahead of the NDP’s 19.3 percent.

That would result in the Conservatives earning an estimated 227 seats compared to the Liberals 44. The Bloc Quebecois are expected to earn 41, the NDP 29 and the Green Party two.

The data predicts a 98 percent chance of the Conservatives winning a majority government which requires 172 seats and a one percent chance of forming government but in a minority situation.

That doesn’t mean Falk, or his colleagues will rest on their laurels.

“I don’t think it’s a foregone conclusion that we’re going to have an overwhelming majority,” he said. “Of course, we would like to, and we’ll work hard toward that, but I think we have to work like we’re one vote behind and keep our foot on the gas. Now’s not the time to relax and be cocky about anything.”

Falk said the party is in a good position, saying there is fantastic unity on the team.

“We’re all confident in Pierre’s leadership,” he said. “The mood is upbeat. I think everyone’s sensing there’s going to be change in Canada and in all likelihood that we will form a majority government.”