Motz says Liberal government left in ‘absolute chaos’ following Trudeau resignation

By BRENDAN MILLER on January 7, 2025.

bmiller@medicinehatnews.com

Glen Motz, Conservative MP for Medicine Hat-Cardston-Warner, says his focus remains on pushing forward for an election following news of the prime minister’s decision to step down as party leader Monday.

However, Motz says, Trudeau’s resignation leaves the Liberals in crisis mode as they scramble to determine their next leader before an upcoming election that could happen as early as the spring should a successful non-confidence vote be pushed through.

Liberal Party of Canada president Sachit Mehra says in accordance with the constitution, the party will call a meeting of the national board to begin the national nationwide democratic process of selecting a new party leader.

“It’s an opportunity for them to take a breath and, you know, regroup,” says Motz. “And determine how they’re going to proceed moving forward. That’s what prorogation is, it gives them time to figure out a game plan, because they’re in crisis right now.”

Prorogation has been announced until March 24, meaning parliamentary sessions are closed and no committee meetings are to be held for 76 days.

Motz says that under the Liberal Party’s constitution, the party has a minimum of a 90-day process that members at large will be able to vote in a nationwide process, leaving the date the government will sit again in question.

“If we are coming back to the House on the 24th of March, that’s not 90 days from today,” says Motz who is unsure at this moment if the Liberals will seek more time to find a leader following March 24.

This also leaves a question on when Canadians will return to the polls in 2025. Motz says Conservatives will call for another vote of non-confidence in the government once the House resumes in March.

“It’s everybody’s guesswork right now, and I’m just guessing, too. I mean, we could still have a fall election; I certainly hope not, Canadians are hoping not. I would hope that shortly after a return to the house in March, that’s where things stay and then we could have a May election, but there’s no guarantee of anything right now.”

Motz believes Canadians are looking for a change in government following “so much damage” done to the country by the Liberal government, and would have preferred to see Trudeau run in the country’s next election.

“There is a sense of relief but there’s also for me, frustration,” says Motz. “You’ve done all this damage and then just walked away rather than go to an election.

“All you have to do is look around at the things that this government has done over the last nine years – out of control spending, an immigration system that’s in absolute chaos.”

Motz told the News once the government begins sitting again, his conservatives will continue to push to remove carbon taxes.

“Unfortunately, as long as this government remains at the helm. But as soon as they’re removed, if it’s a Conservative government, the carbon tax is gone.”

In 2024 the Liberals survived three votes of non-confidence. The latest vote that attempted to topple the minority government failed on Dec. 9.

Following the prime minister’s public address Monday, New Democrat Leader Jagmeet Singh said he would be supporting the next vote to bring down the government.

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