Disgruntled members of Canada’s Liberal Party have given Justin Trudeau an ultimatum: Decide early next week whether you want to stay on as leader, or face the prospect of a caucus revolt.
The Prime Minister met with Liberal lawmakers in a closed caucus meeting on Wednesday as 20 MPs – none of whom were Cabinet members – called on their leader to resign before a potential electoral defeat in the next election.
More than two dozen lawmakers also signed a letter calling on Trudeau to make his decision by Oct. 28, but they failed to give any clear outcome.
There are 153 Liberal members of parliament, suggesting that the rebellion still lacks widespread support. Despite growing questions about Trudeau’s political future, no alternative party leader has come forward to oppose him.
In his ninth year as prime minister, Trudeau is deeply unpopular and faces calls within his party to step down to avoid an embarrassing election loss that could push the party into third place.
the The CBC Poll Tracker appears The Conservatives have a 20-point lead over the ruling Liberals.
Two by-election results over the summer gave wary lawmakers additional reason to question Trudeau’s future tenure as leader: the party lost its victory in LaSalle-Eymer-Verdun, a region that the Liberals had controlled almost exclusively for more than 50 years and months ago lost a safe seat in Downtown Toronto.
The losses reflect soured public opinion of Trudeau’s government: the cost of living has risen alongside housing shortages, and policy failures and mismanagement have eroded strong support for immigration.
However, Trudeau has said he intends to run and win the next federal election, which will occur anytime before the fall of 2025.
After leaving Wednesday’s three-hour meeting, senior Cabinet figures affirmed their support for the embattled prime minister. Immigration Minister Mark Miller, a key Trudeau ally, said he expected the Liberal leader to compete in the next election against his Conservative rival, Pierre. Poilievre.
“This is not a case of code red. The Prime Minister can certainly handle the truth,” he added, adding that he “respects my colleagues who have been brave and stood up and said their things.” [Trudeau’s] face”.
Other MPs suggested Trudeau could retain the party’s trust if he and his inner circle make major changes to how they approach policy and messaging.
Liberal MP Nathaniel Erskine-Smith said: “The Prime Minister must listen to the frustrations – in some cases, the very legitimate frustrations of his party colleagues – and incorporate that into the changes moving forward.”
Trudeau did not say much when he left the campaign rally, except to tell reporters: “The Liberal Party is strong and united.”
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