In light of the news Monday that Canada's Finance Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland suddenly announced her departure from the Liberal Cabinet, Portage-Lisgar MP Branden Leslie is weighing in.
He spoke with PembinaValleyOnline shortly before the Fall Fiscal update was released Monday afternoon.
Leslie notes this situation exemplifies what he terms the absolute chaos and mayhem under the Trudeau government, "That's trying to save their political hides, unfortunately, on the backs of Canadians."
Leslie believes now, more than ever, there must be an election to determine the path forward for Canadians, focusing less on politics and more on putting Canada first.
Regarding the possibility of a non-confidence vote, Leslie says, procedurally speaking, nobody is sure.
"We don't know if it could happen, and the only way that it (an election) can happen at this point, as far as I can tell procedurally, is if the Prime Minister walks over to the Governor General's residence and says, 'I would like to call an election and let Canadians decide.' Most people I talk to in our area, and polling indicates across the country, want to see an election, and have the choice in front of them. With all of this mayhem, it's just further instability at a time when we have impending tariffs from the United States, deciding who is going to best put Canada first and negotiate with incoming President Donald Trump. With the doubling of housing prices, the litany of corrupt instances we've seen under this government, and the rising cost of living, people very badly want to see a carbon tax election. The only honourable thing for the Prime Minister to do is to call that election and let Canadians decide the path forward for our country."
Leslie explains that the Finance Minister is normally intended to deliver the Fall Economic Statement.
"We have no idea if anybody is going to deliver it. We have no idea who that might be. Pierre, our Leader, asked during a question period, 'Who is the finance minister?' And nobody could answer that because with her resignation, the next in line on the order of precedence immediately said, 'I'm not doing that job.' The person in line after that is Randy Boissonnault, who has recently been forced out of cabinet due to several conflicts of interest, claiming to be First Nations to get his private company contracts. Nobody wants the job right now, which I think, again, goes to the absolute chaos that's overcome Ottawa right now. This is not a position that can go on. Simply, this cannot go on. It is bad for Canadians and bad for our country. We need to have an election as soon as possible. I'm looking forward to finding out what happens in 30 minutes from now, but any chance we get, I will once again proudly vote non-confidence in this government. Take us to the polls and let Canadians decide the future of our country."
Leslie says he hasn't personally heard of a similar situation occurring in years past. He adds that some of his colleagues who have been around for a couple of decades note that this is all very, very new.
"And it just goes to show the chaos. This is absolute chaos caused by a government more worried about nailing down the furniture to try to keep themselves in power than doing what's right for the country."
In closing, Leslie says they'll learn what happens, noting it's out of their control, and hopes everyone can enjoy the holiday season as best they can.