Now’s not the time for a federal election, Green Party Leader Elizabeth May has said.
At a press conference in Ottawa today, May, the MP for Saanich—Gulf Islands in British Columbia, said the federal government would “probably not” function well “in the midst of an election.”
"What happens with an election is that there is then only a caretaker role for whatever government is in place during the time the Trump White House is forming," she said.
May said it was crucial that Canada “negotiate from a position of strength” as President-elect Donald Trump indulges in “bizarre Canada-bashing” with threats of a 25 per cent tariff on Canadian goods and hints that the country could be annexed by the US.
Her remarks come as the leader of opposition, Pierre Poilievre, continues to call for an urgent “carbon tax election.”
Meanwhile NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh, who has long protected the Liberals from non-confidence motions, has signalled his intention to bring down the government.
The Bloc Quebecois has also signalled its intention to dislodge the minority Liberal government.
If the Tories’ latest plan to bring down the government succeeds, then it could happen as soon as Jan. 30.
Trump will be inaugurated as president on Jan. 20.
According to Elections Canada, the election period must be at least 37 days and no longer than 51 days.
The walls have been closing in on Prime Minister Justin Trudeau since his deputy and finance minister, Chrystia Freeland, resigned from the cabinet on Dec. 16.
Since then, calls for the PM to walk have been increasing, with Liberal caucuses in Quebec and the Atlantic imploring him to step down.
May said that just because Trudeau’s in a “tenuous” spot doesn’t mean “Canada’s position is tenuous.”
Canada, she said, doesn’t need to “kowtow” to the US president.
“We’re not a big nation for braggarts and bullies,” she added. “We actually like to think we’re of service to the world … we love our country, and it’s a country, it’s a nation. And we do not aspire to be [the] 51st state. So let’s not hear that anymore.”
