Liberal MPs voted against granting themselves the power to oust party leader Mark Carney if they become frustrated with his direction and performance in the role down the road.
Liberal Caucus Chair James Maloney confirmed to media on Sunday that MPs voted against adopting the decade-old law known as the Reform Act.
“The Reform Act was voted down,” said Maloney, following the party’s first caucus meeting since the April 28 election.
“What happens in caucus stays in caucus, and you’re going to hear me say that today, and tomorrow and every day going forward.”
Under the Reform Act, a fifth of the party’s MPs can agree to trigger a leadership review, which can then potentially result in a majority vote to eject the leader.
Conservative MP Michael Chong originally introduced the act to bolster the power of individual MPs and ensure party leaders are held accountable by permitting them the option to initiate leadership reviews and vote on their removal.
The Conservatives used the law to remove former party leader Erin O’Toole from his role following their defeat in the 2021 federal election.
The Liberal party became interested in the idea after becoming increasingly frustrated with former prime minister Justin Trudeau, who’d become extremely unpopular with Canadians and ignored numerous calls from caucus to step down as leader.
Prime Minister Mark Carney vowed that his government will work quickly to get things done and said Monday would mark “one of the most busy returns to Parliament in Canadian history.”
However, despite Parliament resuming on Monday after a nearly six-month hiatus, it will only sit for a month before taking its pre-scheduled summer break until September.
Additionally, the Carney government confirmed it won’t be tabling its budget this summer, instead offering to present it as part of its Fall Economic Statement.
King Charles III is scheduled to deliver the Speech from the Throne to open the 45th session of Canada’s Parliament on Tuesday.