Tensions reached a boiling point between NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh and Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre during question period in the House of Commons on Sept. 19, after Singh announced his party would not back the Tories’ non-confidence motion against the Liberal government.
The move was unusual as question period is reserved for members of Parliament to hold the government to account, not opposition parties.
Poilievre continued to criticize the NDP in subsequent rounds, accusing Singh of sharing responsibility for the imposition of the carbon tax with the prime minister.
In his fifth round, Poilievre accused Singh of ending his supply-and-confidence agreement with the government because he “was terrified he was going to lose” the Sept. 16 Winnipeg byelection in Elmwood-Transcona, a longtime NDP stronghold.
“He put out a Hollywood production where he claimed he had torn up the carbon tax coalition onto which he had signed up, that he was going to stop fighting for his pension and start fighting for the people,” Poilievre said.
“But once the votes were counted, he betrayed them again. He is a fake, a phony, and a fraud. How can anyone ever believe what this sellout NDP leader says in the future?”
Singh reportedly stood up while Poilievre was speaking to shout at the Tory leader. Cheers and jeers erupted in the house as Poilievre finished his question. As Poilievre took his seat, Singh reportedly walked out into the aisle to continue yelling at him, according to reporters present in the viewing gallery.
None of the interaction was caught on camera, and House Speaker Greg Fergus muted the audio so Singh’s words were not caught on tape.
During the muted part of the feed, Poilievre can be seen looking down the chamber to where the NDP sits as Fergus tries to restore order.
Poilievre can then be seen pointing in Singh’s direction briefly before nodding and speaking with a slight smile. He appeared to be saying “Do it,” as the MPs around him grinned and laughed.
When the audio was finally restored, Fergus addressed the House.
“I would suspect, although the chair didn’t hear, that there might have been some strong words which were exchanged between members,” he said. “I ask members to please remember that Canadians are looking at us. And let us conduct ourselves in a way really befitting of each of our constituencies and a country as a whole.”
Poilievre left the chamber shortly after the exchange.
Five minutes later, Singh rose to criticize both the Liberals and the Conservatives about health care issues, but stumbled over his words. Some MPs could be heard mocking the NDP leader, calling out, “Are you drunk?”
Fergus again chided the House.
Bloc, NDP’s Vote
Bloc Québécois Leader Yves-Francois Blanchet announced Sept. 18 his party would not vote in favour of the Conservative non-confidence motion next week.“Will the Bloc vote in favour of the Conservative motion next week? The answer is no,” Blanchet told reporters on Sept. 18, hours after the Tories had tabled the motion.
“The motion contains absolutely nothing. It essentially says: Do you want to replace Justin Trudeau with Pierre Poilievre? The answer is no.”
Singh made a similar announcement Sept. 19 and criticized the Conservative vision for the future, saying it would contain many programming cuts.
Asked about his support of the Liberals in the non-confidence motion despite having spoke against the Liberals earlier, Singh said there will be a right time for an election.
“Canadians will have that decision to make when the election comes and, when that election comes, we want to make it very clear I do not believe that Justin Trudeau deserves a second chance. He has let you down,” he said.
“So we are here to stop Conservative cuts, and I’m here to become the next prime minister of this country.”
If the non-confidence motion were to pass, it would trigger a fall election. Failure of the motion would see Parliament carry on as usual.
