Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau faces mounting pressure from within his party as disgruntled Liberal MPs discuss his leadership and consider ousting him. Long-time Liberal MP Sean Casey openly criticised Trudeau during an interview on CBC News Network’s Power and Politics with David Cochrane. Casey stated on Tuesday, “The message that I’ve been getting loud and clear — and more and more strongly as time goes by — is that it is time for [Trudeau] to go. And I agree.”
He added that voters in his riding had “tuned” Trudeau out, saying, “People have had enough… they want him to go.” Casey acknowledged that Trudeau’s work over the past nine years has been “truly transformational,” but said the “electorate are no longer listening to him.” He also revealed he had informed the PM of the situation during a private phone call in July.
Sean Casey is among several MPs urging Trudeau to step down. He is reportedly the first MP to publicly call for the Canadian prime minister to resign before the next election to give the Liberals a better chance. During the interview, Casey mentioned he was aware of meetings across Parliament Hill after the Toronto-St Paul’s byelection loss in June but had not attended them. Last week, reports emerged of anxious MPs collaborating to convince Trudeau to resign as Liberal Party leader.
Justin Trudeau is facing his biggest internal challenge as PM, with up to 30 LPC MPs pushing for his resignation but it won’t be enough for him to quit, for now.
Our Global News team has been working the phones all day and here’s what we’ve been able to learn #cdnpoli pic.twitter.com/pcOLP3W4lL
— Mackenzie Gray (@Gray_Mackenzie) October 12, 2024
With the PM and his chief of staff, Katie Telford, attending an Asian summit, party members saw it as a chance to sign a pledge calling for Trudeau’s resignation. Sources described the document as a symbol of commitment to leadership change and solidarity in case Trudeau resisted, rather than for circulation. By October 11, sources claimed at least 20 MPs had signed the document, described as an “insurance policy of sorts,” with others voicing support.
Casey said his knowledge of the pledge was “second hand” due to high anxiety in the Liberal caucus about Trudeau’s leadership. He confirmed that many shared his concerns and felt increasingly emboldened. New Brunswick MP Wayne also pressured Trudeau to step down in an email to the Liberal caucus in June. Despite some leaders showing no interest in running in the next federal election under Trudeau, Casey remained steadfast. “I have an obligation to the people of Charlottetown to keep Pierre Poilievre out of the prime minister’s chair in any way shape or form,” he said. “I’m gearing for the fight. It’s a fight worth fighting regardless of whether or not we have Justin Trudeau leading the party.”
What Other Media Are Saying
- Times of India reports that Canadian PM Justin Trudeau faces increased pressure to resign due to electoral losses and internal Liberal Party dissent, with at least 20 MPs seeking leadership change.(read more)
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions asked about this news
Why are Liberal MPs pressuring Justin Trudeau to resign?
MPs feel voters have tuned Trudeau out and believe a new leader could improve election chances.
Who was the first MP to publicly call for Trudeau’s resignation?
Sean Casey was the first MP to publicly call for Trudeau to step down.
What did Sean Casey say about Trudeau’s leadership?
Casey acknowledged Trudeau’s transformational work but said the electorate is no longer listening to him.
How many MPs reportedly signed a pledge calling for Trudeau’s resignation?
By October 11, at least 20 MPs had reportedly signed the pledge.
What was the purpose of the pledge signed by MPs?
The pledge was a symbol of commitment to leadership change and solidarity in case Trudeau resisted.
