Carney meets with caucus ahead of jam-packed spring sitting

The Liberal caucus members are convening today in anticipation of the return of Parliament, now led by a leader known for his ambitious agenda and high expectations. Sunday’s meeting will likely address the significant initiatives promised by Prime Minister Mark Carney and provide an opportunity for MPs to gather before the upcoming royal visit.

One crucial decision on the agenda is whether to grant themselves the authority to remove the newly-elected leader. The caucus will vote on adopting the Reform Act, which would empower them to initiate a review of Carney’s leadership in case of a loss of confidence. Several MPs, speaking anonymously, expressed satisfaction with Carney’s performance thus far and see no immediate reason for his removal. However, citing past experiences with leaders like Justin Trudeau, who resisted calls to resign, some MPs view the Reform Act as a necessary safeguard.

This move marks the Liberals’ first consideration of the Reform Act, an initiative proposed by Conservative MP Michael Chong over a decade ago to enhance accountability between caucus and party leaders. The Conservatives utilized this act to prompt the departure of former leader Erin O’Toole in 2022. Liberal MP Nate Erskine-Smith advocated for the adoption of the act in a blog post, emphasizing the importance of reinforcing a leader’s accountability to the caucus.

Carney, who assumed leadership recently, acknowledged the impending vote on the Reform Act, stating that it is the law of the land. However, he may need to address internal discontent within the caucus regarding his personnel selections. Some MPs expressed concerns about the promotion of individuals they perceive as underperformers to cabinet positions.

Additionally, a chair will be elected to lead future caucus meetings and facilitate communication between backbench MPs and the prime minister. Meanwhile, the Conservative caucus is also meeting to strategize for the busy weeks ahead.

As Parliament reconvenes after a prolonged hiatus, the first order of business will be the election of the House Speaker. King Charles will deliver the speech from the throne on Tuesday, outlining the government’s priorities for the new session. Carney has articulated his goals, including negotiating a new economic and security relationship with the United States, enhancing trade partnerships, and fostering a unified Canadian economy.

In addition to domestic matters, Canada is preparing to host the G7 summit and the NATO summit, where defence spending commitments will be in focus. Carney’s mandate letter to his cabinet underscores priorities such as infrastructure development, cost reduction for Canadians, talent attraction, fiscal responsibility, and law enforcement reinforcement.

With Parliament scheduled to adjourn for the summer in June, Carney aims to present a budget in the fall, reflecting his administration’s vision for the future. The Liberal caucus’s meeting today sets the stage for a dynamic and eventful session in the Canadian political landscape.