The House of Commons returns today from a week-long break, but it’s unlikely to be business as usual.
Members of Parliament are in their 11th day of debate on a Conservative demand for documents about federal spending on green technology projects.
The matter of privilege has all but paralyzed House business as the Liberals try to maintain a grip on an increasingly fractious minority Parliament.
NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh has also written a letter to House Speaker Greg Fergus asking for an emergency debate on RCMP allegations linking agents of the Indian government to cases of murder, extortion and coercion in Canada.
Canada expelled six Indian diplomats and India in turn sent six Canadian envoys home in response to the allegations.
Singh says in his letter that MPs need an emergency debate to discuss measures to protect people, given “the severity of the situation and the danger it poses to all Canadians.”
An NDP spokesperson said if Fergus approves the request, the debate could happen as early as Monday evening, once the regularly scheduled sitting of Parliament is over.
On Wednesday, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is expected to face the most serious challenge to his leadership to date.
Several media reports have said that some Liberal MPs plan to confront Trudeau at the party’s Wednesday caucus meeting over sagging poll numbers and gloomy electoral prospects.
The precise strategy and breadth of the attempt to push Trudeau to resign remain unclear, though some MPs who spoke to The Canadian Press on background said the number of members involved is significant.
Trudeau could sidestep both problems by taking the controversial step of proroguing Parliament, which would end the session and set the stage for a fresh throne speech.
Some political watchers have also mused that would give the Liberals time to hold a leadership race if Trudeau were to step down.
The prime minister plans to soon shuffle his cabinet to replace four ministers who don’t plan to run again in the next election.
A general election must be held by October of next year, but it could come sooner if the Liberals lose the confidence of the House.
