The political crisis shaking Ottawa has sparked reactions as far as Mauricie, where liberal or former figures close to the party have expressed their dissatisfaction with Justin Trudeau’s leadership.
• Also read: A fiery speech from Trudeau in the midst of a crisis
• Also read: Crisis in Ottawa: Justin Trudeau cancels all his end-of-year interviews
• Also read: “Loyalty is not a one-way street”: Justin Trudeau criticized by his MP Joël Lightbound
As internal divisions within the Liberal Party intensify, voices have been raised to question the current leadership and have highlighted the challenges ahead.
Pierre Lahaye, former head of the liberal organization in the county of Saint-Maurice during Jean Chrétien’s years in power, did not mince his words.
A colossal reconstruction
He called Justin Trudeau “the worst prime minister Canada has ever had.”
“I’m ashamed to be liberal, I’m ashamed to be Canadian,” he added. Even when the Liberal Party has experienced internal wars in the past, that has nothing to do with what is happening now.”
For him, the reconstruction of the party promises to be colossal. “It is certain that the reconstruction of the Liberal Party will be greater than we would have thought,” he declared. A lot of work awaits the next leader, and I would not want to be in his place if Trudeau leaves.”
The consequences of a hasty departure
As for the former attaché of Liberal Minister Julie Boulet, Amina Chaffai, she pointed out a problem in the management of the political transition by Justin Trudeau.
She also felt that he should have announced that he would not run again before the last elections.
“It would have given the Liberal Party the chance to have a proper leadership race, like the one it had in 2013,” she said. There, with the current situation, if Justin Trudeau leaves, it will mean a hasty leadership race.”
The former attaché also warned of the potential consequences of a hasty departure from Justin Trudeau.
“It is also possible that the government will fall in the spring with the budget. Let’s say that this places Canada in a situation of stress and political emergency. We really didn’t need it.”
These criticisms illustrate the major challenges facing the Liberal Party in an increasingly fragile political context, as the next federal election looms on the horizon.
