Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is under increasing pressure from his own MPs to resign as the Liberal Party faces a likely defeat in the next election, with voter fatigue and economic concerns at the forefront.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is facing mounting pressure from his own members of parliament (MPs) to step down as leader of the Liberal Party, as the party grapples with declining popularity and an impending electoral defeat. After more than nine years in power, the Liberals are on track to lose power in the upcoming election, with voter fatigue, rising costs, and a housing crisis contributing to growing discontent.
Pressure from Liberal MPs
More than 50 Liberal MPs from Ontario, the party’s stronghold and Canada’s most populous province, held a call on Saturday, where they unanimously agreed that it was time for Trudeau to step down. Chandra Arya, a Liberal legislator who had previously been a loyal supporter of Trudeau, told the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) that the only viable option was a leadership change.
“There is no alternative but to have the leadership change now,” Arya said in an interview on Sunday. As of last week, only 18 MPs had publicly called for Trudeau’s resignation, indicating a growing rift within the party.
Recent Setbacks and Party Infighting
Trudeau recently suffered significant setbacks, including the resignation of Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland, who left due to a policy dispute over government spending. Following Freeland’s departure, all opposition parties united in their efforts to bring down the minority Liberal government.
The Liberal Party faces a potentially devastating election result, with polls indicating that the Conservative Party, the main opposition, would likely crush the Liberals. Furthermore, the incoming U.S. administration is threatening to impose a 25% tariff on all Canadian imports, adding to the sense of urgency for a change in leadership.
Potential Successors and Trudeau’s Stance
Should Trudeau step down, several prominent Liberals could contend for the leadership, including Freeland, Foreign Minister Melanie Joly, Innovation Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne, and former Bank of Canada governor Mark Carney.
Despite growing calls for his resignation, Trudeau has shown no signs of stepping down anytime soon. Sources close to the prime minister indicated that he plans to spend Christmas with his family before heading on a skiing vacation in British Columbia.
A Liberal source told Reuters that Trudeau is considering his future over the holiday period, though it remains unclear whether he will decide to resign or stay on.
Liberal Campaign Ads and Political Uncertainty
In an attempt to counter the opposition, the Liberal Party released an advertisement over the weekend, warning voters that a Conservative victory would lead to significant public spending cuts. Notably, the ad did not mention Trudeau, signaling his diminishing role in the party’s campaign.
Trudeau’s options moving forward include staying in office until a likely defeat in a no-confidence vote, possibly as soon as March, stepping down next month to allow for the appointment of an interim leader, or ending the current parliamentary session to buy more time for the party to select a new leader. However, the latter option risks alienating voters who are eager for change.
