Michael Ignatieff’s Liberals will table a motion of no-confidence in the minority Conservative government Monday. He will do so, however, with the Quebec wing of his party in disarray.
As Parliament resumes after a week-long break and Stephen Harper prepares to deliver his report card on infrastructure stimulus spending, the Liberal Leader is putting the finishing touches on the motion strategists have said will be straight-up and clearly worded.
But his efforts were dealt a blow with the abrupt resignation of his Quebec lieutenant, Denis Coderre, who is frustrated he was overruled in selecting a candidate for a key Montreal riding.
Mr. Coderre said he realized “lacked moral authority” to do his job, though he maintains he “has confidence” in Mr. Ignatieff.
The veteran MP had found a strong female candidate for Outremont but his decision was overturned Friday by Mr. Ignatieff. Martin Cauchon, a former justice minister under Jean Chrétien and potential rival to Mr. Coderre, will now seek the nomination.
Mr. Coderre said Mr. Ignatieff needs changes to his inner circle. He said you can't run politics in Quebec from Toronto – a shot at the coterie of Toronto strategists around the Liberal Leader. They include chief of staff Ian Davey, principal adviser Dan Brock, communications director Jill Fairbrother, director of operations Sachin Aggarwal and party president Alf Apps.
“I have been with him since 2006,” Mr. Coderre said, noting that he supported Mr. Ignatieff's first leadership bid. “I think he will need to make some changes around him.”
Liberal MP David McGuinty speaks to reporters after the party's morning strategy and tactics session on Sept. 28, 2009, in Ottawa.— The Canadian Press
Earlier, in Ottawa, MP David McGuinty told reporters the Liberal Party has not changed its view on the Harper government, a view that was articulated at the Sudbury national caucus retreat this month. “This is not a government that we can support right now,” he said.
It is expected, however, that the no-confidence motion will fail as the New Democrats have said they will support the government. NDP Leader Jack Layton wants to see proposed changes to employment insurance be passed through Parliament.
Mr. McGuinty said the report card the Prime Minister is delivering Monday in Saint John will “give us more evidence the government is more incompetent. ... We think the figures that come out today will support our conclusion that we can no longer have confidence in the government.”
The Liberal MP criticized the government for making the announcement in New Brunswick, rather than in Parliament, accusing the Tories of being “undemocratic” for leaving town and the scrutiny of MPs and the media.
The departure of Mr. Coderre, meanwhile, is be a blow to the Liberals in Quebec. Colleagues said party organizers in the province are “furious” about the outcome that saw his work on recruiting candidates challenged and overturned.
Mr. Coderre, 46, was a strong supporter of Mr. Ignatieff. He was appointed Quebec lieutenant and given the job of finding star candidates for the 75 ridings in that province. He delivered, attracting a strong businesswoman, Nathalie Le Prohon, to run in Outremont. Mr. Cauchon, sources say, had been asked if he wanted to run but had given no firm answer.
The riding is held by NDP deputy leader Thomas Mulcair.
On Friday, Ms. Le Prohon indicated to the Liberal Leader that she did not want to run in Outremont. Rather, she will seek the nomination in the Montreal riding of Jeanne-Le Ber, which was also once held by the party.
