The announcement that Justin Trudeau will resign as Prime Minister and leader of the Liberal Party of Canada as soon as his replacement is found leaves the electoral future of his riding of Papineau uncertain. He has been the elected representative of this Montreal constituency since 2008, and it is a recognized liberal stronghold. But according to citizens met by Dutya Liberal victory in Papineau, even if plausible, is not necessarily assured in the next election.
“I voted Liberal, I supported them, but not anymore. My confidence in the liberals has been lifted,” immediately says Ali Murtaza Shah, met in his restaurant on rue Jarry Ouest, the Dera on Monday afternoon. An opinion he affirms is now shared by many people in his community, to the point where he does not believe in a Liberal victory in Papineau in the next federal election.
Ali Murtaza Shah cites, among other things, the decline of Canada compared to the United States and the “bad” management of the economy, particularly for business owners, to explain why voting for the Liberals is now “out of the question” for him.
For Ali Qasim, resident of Parc-Extension, even if he recognizes discontent among the neighborhood population towards Justin Trudeau and the Liberal Party, the language barrier and the fear of the loss of their identity — Parc-Extension is very multicultural including a large South Asian population — prevents residents from voting for another party. “They don’t ask themselves what [les partis politiques] can do good for us, they are only afraid that Quebecers will impose their rules,” he explains in the waiting room of his barber.
This fatigue with Justin Trudeau is also observed by Bryan Sylva, who works at the La Place Bollywood cell phone store. “But depending on who becomes leader of the Liberal Party before the election, perhaps the view may change. It all depends on who is the leader to know if the Liberals can win this riding,” he says.
A liberal castle
Gladis Rodriguez, also a resident of the constituency, takes a different view by affirming that she will “continue to vote liberal” as she has always done. Even if a Liberal defeat to form the next Canadian government seems obvious to her, Ms. Rodriguez admits that she is not able to estimate whether the Liberals will win the seat of Papineau. “But I hope so,” she said, smiling.
On Jarry Street East, one of the employees of the Le P’tit Atelier bakery, Laurence Coulombe, “does not think” that Papineau will lose its status as a liberal castle in Mr. Trudeau’s absence. “Even if he was at the head of the party, it was not just him who made the Liberal Party. I am sure that there will be a new competent MP who will be able to be at the head of the constituency here,” expresses the woman who also lives in Papineau between making two coffees.
Met while having a coffee at P’tit Atelier, Marie-Christine Barthes hopes that a new government or a new MP from Papineau will be able to bring change, particularly in problems like homelessness and the cost of life. For her district, she would like an MP who comes from a party that is “really close to the people. A Robin Hood”, while not putting forward a theory of victory.
Valérie Plante thanks Justin Trudeau
Montreal Mayor Valérie Plante reacted to Justin Trudeau’s resignation in a post on X in which she said he has “always been an ally of Montreal.” “The support of his government in the construction of non-market housing, the fight against poverty, as well as its support in the extension of the blue line and the financing of the Grand Parc de l’Ouest, made the difference,” said -she writes while welcoming “his significant efforts in gun control”.
“When governments support cities, they can achieve great things. The challenges before us are major and the best solutions will come from the field, from the municipalities. Their role is essential, and I personally thank Justin, who always recognized it,” adds Ms. Plante.
