A disgruntled lawmaker from Canada’s ruling Liberal Party vented his anger in a closed-door meeting with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Wednesday. According to Reuters, people who attended the meeting said Trudeau was responsible for the party’s poor performance. While Justin Trudeau faces no direct threat, the meeting represents one of the most serious political challenges he has faced in his nine years in office. The main political parties usually meet on Wednesdays, but this time the circumstances are anything but normal.
Justin Trudeau said the party is “strong and united.” He insists he will lead the Liberal Party into the next election, scheduled for late October 2025. Public opinion believes that under his leadership the party will lose to the official opposition Conservative Party.
dissatisfied with preparations for next election
“I think this has been going on for a while and it’s important for people to get it out,” said Mark Miller, a close Trudeau ally and immigration minister. “What’s going on there, It is actually the MPs who tell the Prime Minister the truth, whether he likes to hear it or not.
The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation stated that 24 of the party’s 153 MPs have signed a letter calling on Trudeau to step down. Frustration with Trudeau grew after the party lost its two safest parliamentary seats in special elections held in June and September. Some lawmakers are also dissatisfied with poor preparations for the next election.
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Backbench Liberal MP John MacKay said the talks were candid. Liberal MP Nathaniel Erskine-Smith said there was still time for Trudeau to turn things around.
“He said Trudeau needed to present a plan to MPs. It’s important to listen to feedback when a lot of colleagues are expressing frustration,” John MacKay told reporters.
A Nanos Research poll released on October 15 showed that the Conservatives had 39% of public support, the Liberals had 23%, and the rival left-wing New Democratic Party had 21%. Such an outcome would give the Conservatives a comfortable majority on election day.
