Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has survived a vote of no confidence tabled by the opposition Conservative Party in Parliament.
Members of the social-democratic New Democratic Party (NDP) and the Bloc Québécois voted against the motion. However, the Conservatives have already announced plans for a second motion, set to be voted on next week.
After an animated debate on Wednesday, 211 legislators voted against the motion, while 120 voted in favour.
Conservatives argue that Trudeau’s government is failing to address rising living costs, the housing crisis, and crime, while doubling the national debt.
Trudeau, who has been Prime Minister since 2015, has faced poor poll numbers for years. Despite this, his tenure has seen significant progress in reconciliation with indigenous peoples, women’s rights, climate policy, and abortion rights. However, scandals such as alleged interference in corruption investigations have tarnished his reputation.
Recently, the NDP withdrew its support for Trudeau’s party, but on Wednesday, it opted not to vote in favour of the no-confidence motion. Approval of the motion would have triggered early general elections.
Canadians are scheduled to vote again in Autumn 2025, and Pierre Poilievre’s Conservatives are expected to win that election.
On Wednesday, the left-wing separatist Bloc Québécois threatened to withdraw support for Trudeau and the Liberals from 29 October if two of its proposed bills are not passed by then.
