"I intend to resign. As party leader, as Prime Minister after the party elects its next leader through a robust nation-wide competitive process. Last night, I asked the president of the Liberal party to begin that process, and it has become clear to me that if I'm having to fight internal battles, I cannot be the best option in that election."
That's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who gave his resignation speech today in Ottawa.
Leslie's Reaction
The Conservative Member of Parliament for Portage-Lisgar, Branden Leslie, says the Prime Minister's resignation is a combination of good news and bad news.
"Obviously, the good news is that Trudeau's time of recklessly destroying Canada is nearly done," said Leslie. "But the bad news is that keyword of 'nearly.' He's cynically putting his Liberal party's interests above the interests of our country at a time when we have tremendous instability incoming; the United States' threatening tariffs, and frankly, today's announcement really changes nothing."
Parliamentary Prorogation
Leslie explains the executive of our government consists of the Prime Minister and his cabinet, who he says will continue to function without any parliamentary scrutiny for the next two and a half months by his decision to prorogue Parliament until March 24th.
"It really removes the ability of us as the Opposition to draw any attention to the failures of this government, while at the same time, they try to figure out who the next Liberal leader is going to be, while the Prime Minister continues to cling to power. So, it's a bit of a good-news scenario for a lot of people. They're just happy to see the Prime Minister go, but he's not really going. He's really just putting the interest of the Liberals above that of our country."
In light of the recent four-month paralysis of Parliament, in what Leslie says is due to the refusal of the Liberal party to come forward with documents that are known to contain legally damaging information about contracts with various companies, the MP outlines the future of its possible resolution.
"I don't expect that they are going to hand over any documents during this time. The Motion of Privilege is still able to come back. However, as far as I can tell, the first thing that will need to happen after March 24th will be some sort of budgetary vote. The Liberals will need to pass a Money Bill for the government to simply function, as they're basically only currently allocated until the end of March. My expectation, my hope, is that that vote will fail with the support of the Conservatives, NDP, and Bloq Quebecois. That's relying on, of course, the NDP, who have famously said that they are no longer in agreement with the Liberals, but yet propped them up just before the end of the year."
Leslie's Frustration
Leslie says it is incredibly frustrating to see that the Trudeau government, and Trudeau himself, is only quitting because he knows that he can't win.
"The problem is I don't think that any of the Liberal MPs and NDP MPs who have supported him through this time really should be off the hook, either. They have been supporting this Liberal leader that has implemented a Carbon Tax that's on pace to quadruple by 2030. They've supported this out-of-control spending. They've supported this catch-and-release bail system, soft-on-crime policies, and frankly, every other policy failure."
Political Implications
"The idea of putting politics above country at such a tumultuous time of our nation with out-of-control spending, with out-of-control migratory issues, with impending President Trump, it's incredibly frustrating to know that, at the end of the day, it's all the Liberal politics and making sure they have the best chance to try to hold on to power a little bit longer instead of actually doing what's right for our country, (and that is) calling an election, letting Canadians decide what the future of our country looks like and who they want to see. In my view, it's a very clear choice. It's going to be a costly NDP/Liberal coalition that's going to continue up to the cost of living with carbon taxes and soft-on-crime policies, or a common-sense government that's going to bring home powerful pay cheques for people, trying to lower the cost of living for Canadians and get this country back on track."
Election Prospects
In light of all of these events, Leslie explains how this is related to the chance of an actual election for a new prime minister and government and whether or not there will be a new government.
"My best guess, at this point, is we'd be looking at an early May election date with the prorogation of Parliament until March 24th. There simply has to be a vote on a money matter, which is spending a government which is always a confidence vote. That is going to have to take place pretty much within the first week of the House of Commons being recalled on March 24th. So, that'll be the first opportunity for Parliament to vote to bring down the government and force an election."
NDP's Role
Leslie says it is his hope is that the NDP will stay true to their word and not support the Liberals at that time, or at any other time going forward. Leslie says it's the only Parliamentary perspective way in which an election can be forced.
"Now the Prime Minister, while Parliament is prorogued, could technically go to the Governor General, or if an interim leader is chosen for the Liberal Party, could technically go to the Governor General, ask for a dissolution of Parliament, and ask for an election to be called. I just don't see that based on today's announcement. It's clear the Prime Minister feels his fingernails, if they have a little bit left in them, to hang on to power just a little bit longer. So, I don't see that happening. My best-case scenario, in my view, is an early May election."
Liberal Leadership
He adds the Prime Minister's replacement hopefuls in the Liberal government are all MPs and are the same people who have been supporting the policies Trudeau has promoted.
"I don't think that they should be able to get away with putting a new face on this. The Liberal brand is forever tarnished by this Prime Minister and his many, many policy failures."
In conclusion, Leslie says he hopes Canadians can take solace in the fact that the Trudeau-era of government is coming to an end soon.
"But at the end of the day, this man is refusing to give up his grip on power and putting politics above country. I find it disturbing. It is time for a Carbon Tax election, time for Canadians to head to the polls, and start the future of our country."