A viral petition calling for a non-confidence vote against Justin Trudeau’s government has closed, amassing 386,698 signatures in the month it was open for Canadians to sign.
Petition e-4701, initiated by Melissa Outwater from Peterborough, Ont. and sponsored by Conservative MP Michelle Ferreri, called for a vote of no confidence and a federal election within 45 days should the vote pass.
The petition, which was launched Nov. 24, closed Christmas Eve. True North had previously covered the petition when it surpassed 121,000 signatures in its first six days.
Outwater said that she created the petition based on advice given by Trudeau himself.
“When he was testifying in the Emergency Act inquiry. He let Canadians know that we have a democratic process, and we should be using it,” said Outwater.
Ferreri said she would present the petition in the House of Commons and send a clear message that Canadians are demanding change.
“The facts speak for themselves,” Ferrari said. “Justin Trudeau has delivered record high food bank usage, homelessness, skyrocketing housing prices, an opioid and mental health crisis, a violent rise in crime and multiple ethics violations.”
Ferreri explained the petition’s take-up by saying “misery is a powerful motivator.”
“Clearly this petition is elevating the voices of Canadians who are sick of the Trudeau imposed misery and want a leader and a government they can trust,” she said. “Trust is built on actions, not words. Each time someone, especially a leader, doesn’t do what they say or, even worse, gaslights his followers, he destroys the trust.
The petition claims that the citizens of Canada have lost confidence not only in Prime Minister Justin Trudeau but also in the “Liberal/NDP coalition.”
“Canadians have waited eight years for action, and what they’ve been handed is suffering.”
“Misery is a powerful motivator, and clearly, this petition is elevating the voices of Canadians who are sick of the Trudeau-imposed misery and want a leader and a government they can trust,” said Ferreri.
With nearly 387,000 signatures, it has become the most signed electronic petition in Canadian history. The previous record was petition e-4649, which called for an immediate ceasefire for the Israel-Palestine conflict. That petition amassed 286,719 signatures.
Although the petition reflects escalating dissatisfaction with the government, it does not compel Parliament to act.
Furthermore, despite the possibility of a non-confidence vote in the House of Commons, the NDP has demonstrated reluctance to withdraw from its supply and confidence agreement with the Liberals. This arrangement ensures their support until 2025, coinciding with the next federal election.
