(Ottawa) Justin Trudeau’s Liberals, in the minority in Parliament, will reach out to the Conservatives this winter “in order to seek common ground on a number of issues”, said Steven MacKinnon, newly sworn in as parliamentary leader, on Monday.
The Gatineau MP inherited this role, replacing his colleague Karina Gould for the duration of the latter’s maternity leave.
“We are reaching out and I, as leader, am reaching out to them,” Mr. MacKinnon said of the Conservatives. He spoke to journalists in front of the Governor General’s official residence, Rideau Hall, where he took part in the traditional swearing-in ceremony.
If he wanted to be collaborative, the House leader did not mince his words to throw arrows at Pierre Poilievre’s Conservatives.
Just before the parliamentary holiday break, the official opposition forced the holding of a marathon of votes that stretched late into the night.
“Those who have covered the House of Commons see what is happening. There is nothing that the Conservatives seem to be able to support, even the most trivial things,” believes the Gatineau elected official.
Asked about a possible change in strategy to circumvent any possible obstruction, Mr. MacKinnon presented the approach already taken as one that works and will continue.
“I think we have demonstrated, both in committee and in the House, that we are listening. We are always here to improve our proposals. »
The man who until recently held the role of Liberal whip accused Mr. Poilievre’s troops of engaging in “obstruction without alternative.”
Steven MacKinnon, MP for Gatineau since 2015, has been government whip since the last general election, in 2021.
He indicated Monday that Brampton North MP Ruby Sahota will temporarily replace him in his usual duties.
Previously, the Gatineau elected official was parliamentary secretary for several ministers who were responsible for Public Services and Procurement.
With Michel Saba, The Canadian Press