OTTAWA — The Bloc Québécois is giving the Liberals just over a month to pass two pieces of priority legislation as it applies pressure on the minority government in an increasingly precarious Parliament.
If the Liberals do not pass a bill about old-age security and another supply management by the Oct. 29 deadline, Bloc Leader Yves-François Blanchet says his party will begin discussions with other opposition parties about toppling the government.
"What we are proposing is good for retired persons in Quebec, but also in Canada. It's good for milk and eggs and poultry (producers) in Quebec, but also in Canada. So that's good for everybody," Blanchet said in a news conference Wednesday.
The House of Commons will hold two non-confidence votes on Wednesday that could — but likely won't — bring down the minority Liberal government. The Conservatives have already put the House of Commons on notice that more such votes are coming.
The NDP and Bloc Québécois have already said they will oppose a Conservative non-confidence motion that aims to trigger an early election.
The Bloc is looking to capitalize on its new-found power to make gains for its voters in Quebec, who tend to be older. Protecting supply management is also a major priority for dairy farmers in Quebec.
In exchange for its support, the Bloc wants the government to increase old-age security for all seniors and bolster Canada's supply management system.
Blanchet says if the government agrees to its demands, the Liberals will avoid an election before Christmas.
However, he emphasized that his party will not blindly support the government's agenda, even if the Liberals agree to the Bloc's conditions.
"We will not ever support any motion or vote that would go against who we are — and who we are is well known," Blanchet said, noting that his party will vote against motions and bills that the Bloc perceives to be against the interests of Quebec.
"So the government has to remain pretty careful."
The Bloc has introduced two private member's bills that the party is looking to pass. Bill C-319 seeks to increase old-age security payments by 10 per cent for seniors between the ages of 65 and 74 and raise the exemption of employment income used to determine guaranteed income supplement payments from $5,000 to $6,500.
The Liberals, who increased old-age security for seniors aged 75 and older in 2022, voted against the bill during second reading.
It is now under consideration at a House of Commons committee.
Bill C-282, if passed, would limit the government's ability to make concessions on products protected by supply management during trade negotiations. The bill passed the House of Commons with support from the Liberals and is under consideration at a Senate committee.
Also on Wednesday, members of Parliament will vote on another confidence motion related to the Liberals' proposed capital gains tax changes. That motion is expected to pass with support from the NDP.
Blanchet said people will have to wait to see how the Bloc will vote.
On Tuesday evening, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre detailed two more non-confidence motions he plans to put before the House.
One quotes other opposition leaders' words of criticism for the prime minister and the Liberals in a bid to wedge them into taking down the government.
The other references housing costs, crime rates, centralized government and the impact of the carbon price on food costs.
The Conservatives can introduce either of those motions for debate on Thursday.
If any of the non-confidence motions were to pass, the government would be defeated and Canadians would very likely see an immediate election campaign.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 25, 2024.
Laura Osman and Nojoud Al Mallees, The Canadian Press
