NDP pulls channel change on Conservatives, forcing House debate on abortion

A surprise tactical move by the NDP forced a debate in the House of Commons on abortion access Thursday morning, sidelining a Conservative motion designed to use NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh's own words against him.

A surprise tactical move by the NDP forced a debate in the House of Commons on abortion access Thursday morning, sidelining a Conservative motion designed to use NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh's own words against him.

That Conservative motion is worded to show support for the right to strike and declares non-confidence in the Liberal government for its recent moves to end labour disruptions by rail and port workers.

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre on Wednesday called on the NDP to "stand with unions" and vote to bring down the Liberal government.

But just ahead of debate starting, NDP MP Heather McPherson seized the parliamentary remote control from the Conservatives and changed the channel to Canada's global assistance for sexual and reproductive health rights.

The move pushes back debate on the Conservative motion and a vote is expected to happen on the NDP motion after question period.

The government will face a raft of opposition motions in the coming days ahead of the winter holiday break.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 5, 2024.