Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland confirmed on Thursday that some Liberal MPs want Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to step down, but said “the vast majority” of them still support him.
The Deputy PM made her comments during an unrelated announcement in Milton, Ontario.
“The Prime Minister has my full support. I know he has the full support of cabinet. And I know he has the full support of the vast, vast majority of Liberal MPs.” (In other words, yes, some Liberal MPs want Trudeau to step down.)
Freeland also confirmed that she hosted a meeting in her backyard among Toronto-based Liberal MPs this week to listen to their concerns following the recent St. Paul’s by-election that saw the Liberals lose what was considered one of their safest ridings in the country.
A reporter followed up on this defeat, noting the Liberals are down 20 points in the polls to boot, asking Freeland, “Can you explain why you should stay on as finance minister?
“That’s a choice for the prime minister, of course,” she responded.
Liberal MPs considering not running again if Trudeau stays
An anonymous Liberal MP recently told state broadcaster CBC that if Justin Trudeau doesn’t resign, a number of Liberal MPs are unlikely to run again in the next election.
“The prime minister’s leadership is damaged beyond repair at this point and the population just doesn’t have time for him anymore,” the MP stated.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has refused to step down amid mounting calls for his resignation, claiming that democracy is at stake.
Trudeau has refused to commit to a national in-person caucus meeting, which nine of his MPs have called for following the Toronto-St. Paul’s by-election loss.
