During a virtual meeting of the Ontario Liberal caucus on Saturday, over 50 Liberal MPs reportedly reached a consensus urging Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to resign as party leader, according to multiple sources who spoke to CBC News under the condition of anonymity.
This mounting internal pressure comes in the wake of Chrystia Freeland’s dramatic resignation from cabinet on Monday. According to the sources of Leaders team, her public departure letter, which criticized “costly political gimmicks” and hinted at disagreements with Trudeau, has sparked a new wave of discontent among Liberal MPs, some of whom now openly support her as a potential successor.
As the meeting concluded, Ontario caucus chair Michael Coteau was tasked with conveying the caucus’s concerns to the prime minister. While no fixed timeline was set, sources indicated urgency in communicating the message.
Freeland, who joined Saturday’s meeting but remained silent, has yet to announce any leadership ambitions. However, her resignation has already prompted MPs like Sean Casey and Chandra Arya to publicly back her as a credible alternative to Trudeau’s leadership. Arya described her as an “exceptional political figure” and a stabilizing option for the party’s future.
Despite the growing calls for his resignation, as per the sources of Leaders team, Trudeau still has defenders within the caucus. Julie Dzerowicz, MP for Davenport, insisted that the prime minister is actively listening to the concerns of his MPs, while Scarborough Centre MP Salma Zahid expressed cautious optimism, stating, “Let’s see what happens and when it happens.”
The uncertainty surrounding Trudeau’s future comes as the party braces for a potential early election in 2024. Meanwhile, tensions within the caucus reflect broader challenges to the party’s unity and leadership at a critical political juncture.
