Liberal MP Ken McDonald, who recently sparked controversy by suggesting it was time for a leadership review of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, has quickly reversed his stance. 

This about-face comes less than 24 hours after McDonald initially voiced his concerns, highlighting the tight rein Trudeau holds on the Liberal Party of Canada members.

“The intent of my recent public comments was not to personally call for a leadership review, and I am not calling for one now,” McDonald said.

He went on to reaffirm his allegiance, saying, “As I said, I believe that the Prime Minister is a smart politician, a great campaigner, and I know he still has the best interest of Canadians at heart. I will continue to support my caucus colleagues and the Prime Minister as I’ve done since 2015.”

The Newfoundland MP’s backtrack is a stark contrast to his remarks from Wednesday, when he said that his constituents harbored a growing ‘hatred’ for Trudeau, and suggested it was time for a leadership review. 

McDonald’s initial sentiments about Trudeau have been echoed by other party members who, unlike him, have done so anonymously. 

In August 2023, anonymous MPs likened the internal party atmosphere to the chaos under the disastrous former Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne. One even compared Trudeau’s August 2023 cabinet reshuffle to “putting lipstick on a pig.” However, the same MP at the time said that the “vast majority” of MPs still support their boss.

Another anonymous MP said that there’s a growing sense of frustration among party members.

“People are starting to question … ‘Do I want to keep taking the beating I’m taking?’”  

“I’m just sensing a lot of frustration,” they added.

Trudeau’s net favourability score hits all time low, poll shows

A January 11 Abacus Data survey shows Trudeau’s net favourability is at an all time low. A whopping 59% of the poll’s respondents said they have a negative impression of Trudeau, with only 25% indicating they have a positive impression of him. 

The Prime Minister took the day off on Wednesday following the news that a federal court judge ruled he violated the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms by invoking the Emergencies Act on Freedom Convoy protesters.

On Wednesday evening, Trudeau attended a women’s hockey game in Ottawa where he was filmed clapping so fast he appeared to have scared his daughter.