Bloc Québécois increases pressure on Trudeau government

Photo: Adrian Wyld The Canadian Press Bloc leader Yves-François Blanchet during question period in September 2024

Sandrine Vieira

Published at 8:44 a.m. Updated at 11:56 a.m.

• Canada

The Bloc Québécois is increasing the pressure on Justin Trudeau’s minority Liberal government. On Tuesday morning, Bloc leader Yves-François Blanchet tabled a motion asking the government to “take the necessary measures” to pass its Bill C-319, which aims to increase the old age security pension for those aged 65 to 74.

The adoption of the bill “in the form of irreversible legislation” is at the heart of the ultimatum issued by the Bloc Québécois last week. The party is giving the government until October 29 to adopt two of its bills – failing which it could support a motion of censure aimed at overthrowing it.

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“If the government does not accede to our request, we will understand what that means and we will initiate conversations whose purpose will be clear with the other oppositions with a view to overthrowing the government,” declared the Bloc leader when tabling his motion Tuesday morning.

If the Liberals meet the deadline, the Bloc has pledged not to bring down the government before Christmas.

Liberal MPs have still not made their intentions known regarding the adoption of the bill. They will, however, have to decide when the motion is voted on, which is scheduled for Wednesday afternoon.

“We will see, at the end [of the debate], how we will vote,” indicated Liberal MP and parliamentary secretary Stéphane Lauzon during the debate in the House on Tuesday.

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Raising Old Age Security benefits for seniors aged 65 to 74 would cost the government $3.1 billion a year, or nearly $16 billion over five years.

“That's a lot, a lot of money. We have to assess the impact it's going to have and the intergenerational impact. Are these the people who need this the most, when young people are having a hard time right now? ? The discussion needs to happen,” said Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault at the entrance to the cabinet on Tuesday.

The Bloc leader believes that the amount needed to increase seniors’ pensions is justified in light of other government spending.

“During this same period [of five years], Ottawa will give between 50 and 80 billion dollars to oil companies that don’t need it,” Mr. Blanchet insisted on Tuesday.

Pierre Poilievre’s Conservatives will try again to topple the Trudeau government on Tuesday afternoon. MPs will vote on a second motion of non-confidence, which is not expected to pass.

The support of the Bloc Québécois and the New Democratic Party (NDP) is needed for a majority of the House to withdraw its confidence in the government.

More details to follow.