On Wednesday, members of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s Liberal Party advised him to reconsider running for another term. A letter, signed by more than 20 Liberal MPs, including three who spoke out publicly, is urging Trudeau to step aside before the next election, set to occur between this fall and October 2025. The letter remains undisclosed.
While a group of over two dozen dissenting lawmakers is noteworthy, it represents a small fraction of the 153 Liberals in Canada’s House of Commons.
After a three-hour meeting with party members, a cheerful Trudeau reassured reporters, “The Liberal Party is strong and united.”
Feedback from Lawmakers
Liberal MP Ken McDonald from Newfoundland, who signed the letter, stated, “He has to start listening, listening to the people.” McDonald, who has chosen not to seek reelection, expressed that several of his colleagues are anxious due to dismal polling results.
The latest Nanos poll indicated that the Conservative Party leads the Liberals by a significant margin—38% to 25%. This poll surveyed 1,037 people with a margin of error of about 3.1 percentage points.
Other signatories of the letter include Wayne Long from New Brunswick and Sean Casey from Prince Edward Island, both expressing similar sentiments. Charles Sousa, a Liberal MP from Mississauga Lakeshore, noted that Trudeau is taking time to reflect, saying, “I respect his decision, whatever that may be.”
Ontario MP John McKay characterized the meeting as candid, stating that it is ultimately Trudeau’s choice to continue as Canada’s leader.
Cabinet Reactions
Randy Boissonnault, the Employment Minister, remarked on what he termed “palace drama,” stressing the importance of focusing on Canadians’ needs. Meanwhile, Immigration Minister Marc Miller, a close ally of Trudeau, initially dismissed rumors but later acknowledged that concerns among lawmakers have been brewing and should be aired honestly.
A Reflection on Trudeau’s Leadership
Trudeau first took office in 2015, following nearly ten years of Conservative leadership under Stephen Harper. His tenure has faced scrutiny, particularly amid rising living costs exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Among his notable achievements, Trudeau expanded immigration, legalized cannabis, and introduced a carbon tax to combat climate change. In defense of his policies, he stated, “My job is not to be popular—although it helps. My job is to do the right things for Canada now and for Canadians a generation from now.”
This article incorporates reporting from The Associated Press.