A few of Trudeau’s party MP call for his resignation, deadline given; other MPs say internal dissent would only help opposition
SJ Singh/ Diaspora Correspondent / October 24,2024
“Internal calls for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to resign as Liberal leader were aired out behind closed doors Wednesday as Liberal MPs met on Parliament Hill” reported CBC News.
As per CBC News “All party caucuses meet weekly when the House of Commons are sitting. Liberal MPs who want Trudeau to step down used Wednesday’s meeting to deliver their grievances to the prime minister in person.”
As Radio-Canada report, “24 MPs signed an agreement to call on Trudeau to step down as Liberal leader.”
Two sources told CBC News that B.C. MP Patrick Weiler read out a separate document — which laid out an argument for Trudeau’s resignation — during the meeting. Weiler pointed to the boost that Democrats gained after U.S. President Joe Biden backed out of the presidential race and suggested the Liberals could see a similar rebound.
“MPs were given two minutes each to address the room during the three-hour-long meeting. About 20 — none of them cabinet ministers — stood up to urge Trudeau to step aside before the next election, sources said. But a number of MPs also stood to voice support for the prime minister” reported CBC News
As per available information, the dissident MPs gave Trudeau until Oct. 28 to decide on his future, sources said. But no consequences attached to that deadline were mentioned in the document read to caucus Wednesday.
The prime minister himself addressed the meeting and two MPs told CBC News that he became emotional when he talked about his children having to see “F— Trudeau” signs in public. At the end of the meeting, Trudeau said he would reflect on what he heard but didn’t indicate that he would resign.
It’s not clear what changes Liberal MPs are asking for, or if Trudeau promised anything. Erskine-Smith indicated that he thinks the Liberals need to focus on advertising.
A few of Trudeau’s party MP call for his resignation, deadline given; other MPs say internal dissent would only help opposition. The Conservatives have spent millions of dollars on TV, radio and online ads, while the Liberals have spent only a few hundred thousand, essentially ceding the field to the opposition, he said. Some MPs, including Erskine-Smith, said infighting might be causing the party more harm than good. “My colleagues need to turn their knives outwards and not inwards,” Esrkine-Smith said.
Ontario MP Charles Sousa suggested internal dissent would only help the Conservatives.
Despite the pressure on Trudeau, the decision on whether to stay or go ultimately rests with him. He has said repeatedly he wants to lead the party into the next election; it remains to be seen if Wednesday’s meeting will make him reconsider.