Email sent to colleagues | Liberal MP calls on Justin Trudeau to resign

(Ottawa) A Liberal MP not seeking re-election has sent an email to his fellow caucus members demanding that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau resign as party leader.

Tension between some caucus members grew after the Liberals lost their stronghold seat of Toronto—St. Paul East to the Conservatives by about 600 votes.

The Liberals had claimed the urban riding as their own for about 30 years. Some Liberal MPs blame the defeat on the choice of candidate and a poor campaign, while others point to Justin Trudeau as the problem.

In the email obtained by The Canadian Press, New Brunswick MP Wayne Long says he has reflected on Toronto’s defeat—St Paul’s wants to let the caucus know “clearly and directly” where he stands.

He added that “for the future of our party and for the good of our country, we need new leadership and new direction.” He went on to argue that “voters have spoken loud and clear about their desire for change” and he agrees.

Mr. Long did not respond to a request for comment.

A few Liberal MPs have said privately that they think Mr. Trudeau should go, but a broader group including several cabinet members has publicly supported the prime minister.

Rebellion

A certain level of rebellion within the Liberal caucus is not unusual for the party since it began to lag in national opinion polls behind the Conservatives, who have focused heavily on affordability issues.

In January, Newfoundland Liberal MP Ken McDonald called for a leadership review, comments he later walked back.

But when Mr. Long’s email was sent to the caucus, Mr. McDonald responded “well said,” according to a Global News media report.

For months, rumours about Justin Trudeau have swirled in the Ottawa bubble, but the prime minister maintains he will continue to lead until voters say otherwise.

Cabinet members say Mr. Trudeau remains the best possible leader to take on Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, whom they describe as a fake career politician eager to usher in program cuts.

The next federal election is expected to take place by the fall of 2025, and this week Justin Trudeau acknowledged that there is a lot for him and his team to do between now and then.

“These are not easy times. And it’s clear that I and my entire team still have a lot of work to do to make real, tangible progress that Canadians can see and feel,” Trudeau said during a presentation in British Columbia, where he did not take questions from the media.

“We will never stop working and fighting to ensure you have what you need to get through these difficult times. I’m focused on your success and that’s where it’s going to stay,” he continued.

Guilbeault reiterates his support

Throughout the week, Liberal MPs have been communicating with each other from across the country as they try to chart a path forward and get a sample of how each feels, not just about Mr. Trudeau, but about their party.

The Toronto Star reported that Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault was caught this week at a train station discussing internal caucus issues.

Mr. Guilbeault responded to the story by issuing a statement reiterating his loyalty to Mr. Trudeau and the party.

“One-sided conversations taken out of context do not reflect the open and honest exchanges I usually have with my caucus colleagues,” Minister Guilbeault said in a statement Friday.

“As I have said publicly on several occasions, Prime Minister Trudeau has my full support and I will continue to work to support Canadians. »

The prime minister’s office declined to comment.