Commons rivals on Monday put the Liberal government on an 11-week death watch regardless of who Liberals select to replace Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, reports Blacklock’s Reporter. All opposition parties pledged a spring election after Trudeau announced his departure over “internal divisions,” the first resignation of its kind by a sitting prime minister in 129 years.“Canadians desperate to turn the page on this dark chapter in our history might be relieved that Justin Trudeau is finally leaving,” Opposition Leader Pierre Poilievre said in a statement.“But what has really changed?”.NOTEBOOK: Justin Trudeau resigns, reaction from across Canada.Trudeau on Monday prorogued Parliament until March 24, one week before the expiry of the budget year.“It is time for the temperature to come down, for the people to have a fresh start,” said Trudeau.“Why not call an election?” asked a reporter. Trudeau did not reply.“It has become very, very clear I cannot be the leader to take the party into the next election because of internal divisions,” said Trudeau..'CRITICAL': Smith calls for election after Trudeau resignation.He is the first sitting prime minister since Mackenzie Bowell in 1896 to resign under pressure from his own caucus.“The party gets to have a full, national process that brings in people from right across the country and makes the determination about the best person to carry the progressive Liberal standard into the next election,” said Trudeau.“Cabinet will still be very much focused on doing the job Canadians elected us to do in 2021.”Bloc Québécois leader Yves-François Blanchet said he did not care who Liberals choose to replace Trudeau.“We are beyond that,” he said.“Now is the time for an election which I understand will be held after the Liberal party has chosen a new leader. There is nothing else to be taken into consideration at this point.”“There is no possible way for this Liberal party to become something else in a few weeks.”“We are facing the same people with the same values, the same ideology. We have to go to an election.”.Oil sector giddy over Trudeau’s impending resignation as stocks rise.NDP leader Jagmeet Singh said he too considered the outcome of any Liberal leadership contest irrelevant.“It doesn’t matter who the next Liberal leader is,” he said. “They have let you down. They do not deserve another chance.”NDP MPs voted confidence in cabinet as recently as December 9. Singh on January 6 said he would never do so again.“Typical Liberals,” he said.“They are shutting down Parliament, not going to work.”“We should fire the Liberals. They have let down Canadians. They need to get fired.”“Why not give the government a few more months?” asked a reporter.“It does not matter who is chosen as the next Liberal leader,” replied Singh.“They have let you down. They do not deserve another chance. As soon as there is a confidence vote New Democrats will be voting against the government and then we will have an election.”
