Poilievre promises to attempt to call a federal election as soon as feasible

Days before the House of Commons resumes for the fall session, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has announced his intention to call for a federal election as soon as possible.

On Wednesday, Poilievre reiterated his earlier hints, confirming his plan to push for a non-confidence motion aimed at dissolving the government.

“The ‘Common Sense Conservatives’ will put forward a non-confidence motion at the earliest possible opportunity,” he stated.

Poilievre also challenged the NDP to vote with the Conservatives, particularly after the NDP terminated their supply and confidence agreement with the governing Liberals.

He urged the NDP to make their stance clear before Monday’s byelections.

“Will you vote to keep your friend Justin Trudeau in the costly coalition in power, or will you allow Canadians to choose in a carbon-tax election? That is the decision,” Poilievre said.

NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh’s senior advisor indicated that the party is not particularly eager to trigger an election. Singh has previously mentioned that the NDP will decide whether to support the government on a case-by-case basis.

Poilievre also appealed to Bloc Québécois MPs to join the Conservatives in bringing down the government. The Bloc has reportedly drafted a list of demands for the Liberals in exchange for their support on various votes.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, addressing his caucus in Nanaimo, B.C., expressed readiness to confront the Conservatives this fall.

He contrasted their proposed solutions with his own plan to invest in Canadians.

“The answer the Conservatives are bringing forward is, ‘oh no, we’ll create growth and opportunities through cutting programs Canadians are relying on,’” Trudeau said.

On Monday, voters will head to the polls in Montreal’s LaSalle-Émard-Verdun riding and Winnipeg’s Elmwood-Transcona riding. The next federal election is required to be held by October 2025 at the latest.