Bloc Québécois Leader Yves-François Blanchet said Tuesday he would work with other opposition parties to overthrow the Liberal government after Ottawa failed to get what it wanted: an increase in pensions for some and additional protections for supply-managed agricultural sectors.

After the NDP withdrew from its agreement to support the Liberals, Blanchet entered the fray, saying he would support the Liberals in votes of no confidence if they passed two Bloc private members’ bills that would increase old age security benefits for people of different ages. of 65 and 74 and exempt dairy products, poultry and eggs from future trade negotiations.

He gave the government until October 29 to pass the two bills.

It’s the big day and bills aren’t laws, so Blanchet comes up with an alternative plan: try to overthrow this minority government.

“Depending on what the NDP does, we can say that the government’s days are numbered,” Blanchet told reporters, referring to the possibility that the NDP will once again side with the Liberals to prevent an election.

“The expiration date of this government has passed and it is up to the people of Quebec and Canada to compose a new Parliament,” Blanchet said in French. “The only deal we need now is to send the Liberals to the showers.”

The chances of the government responding to the Bloc’s demands on such short notice have always been slim, given that the Liberals have little control over the Senate, where the supply management bill is currently before committee .

After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s decision changes to Senate appointmentsthe government has less, if any, influence over what the Senate does and when.

Trudeau, his ministers and some Liberal MPs also voted against a Bloc motion that attempted to force the government to apply a “royal recommendation” to the pension bill. In the Canadian parliamentary system, a private member’s bill cannot force the government to spend more money without Cabinet approval.

The pension bill has raised serious questions about generational fairness given the amount Ottawa spends on seniors’ benefits, which already make up the largest and fastest-growing part of the federal budget.

The cost of aged care benefits is expected to rise from $80 billion this year to $100 billion a year by 2028-29 – a figure that does not take into account the 10 per cent increase in pensions proposed by the Block.

But the Bloc defended the idea of ​​increasing pensions, saying older people deserve a little more cash.

Blanchet also said it was “discriminatory” for the government to impose a 10 percent increase in Old Age Security for people aged 75 and over, while leaving no increase for younger people.

Blanchet said that because the Liberals have not acted on either proposal, “the government is in serious danger of falling.”

“I’m ready for elections. I’m absolutely ready to go tomorrow,” he said.

“You could say we’re looking forward to this with excitement.”

The Liberal government could still survive with the support of the NDP

That makes two opposition leaders ready to vote.

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has attempted to overthrow the government through three failed votes of no confidence so far this year, and he has ruled out any support for the government at all.

But the Bloc’s decision to withdraw its support and align with the Conservatives against the government does not necessarily mean an election call is imminent. The Liberals could still hold on to power if the NDP gives them the support they need.

The Liberals hold 153 of the 338 seats in Parliament.

To obtain a majority of 169 MPs without the support of the Conservatives, the Liberals need the NDP (25 MPs) or the Bloc (33 MPs) to support them.

The joint vote of the Conservatives (119 MPs) and the Bloc would not be enough to bring down the government – ​​the NDP would also have to join this party.