Following the shocking loss of a Liberal stronghold seat to the Conservatives in Monday’s byelection, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau refused to take any questions during his one and only public appearance of the day.
The Prime Minister made a quick reference to the devastating loss during his announcement, congratulating the now Conservative MP, Don Stewart, who narrowly beat out the Liberal’s candidate — and former Liberal staffer — Leslie Chuch.
But when the time came for questions, as is the norm during such announcements, in typical Trudeau fashion, the Prime Minister couldn’t face the music, instead opting to walk away.
Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland, during an unrelated announcement on Tuesday, fielded non-stop questions from reporters about the shocking byelection results until she couldn’t take it anymore, walking off, flustered, after about five questions.
In the Monday night byelection, the Liberal Party of Canada lost the Toronto-St. Paul’s riding that they’ve held firmly for over thirty years, with the Conservatives pulling off a shocking flip.
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Don Stewart of the Conservative Party narrowly beat Leslie Church, the Liberal candidate and longtime Liberal staffer. According to Elections Canada, Stewart collected 15,555 votes (42.1%), compared to Church taking in 14,965 votes (40.5%).
Pressure to resign mounts
The stunning development will put immediate pressure on Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to resign. The Toronto-St. Paul’s riding is even considered by CBC to be “one of the safest Liberal ridings in the country.”
Some called this byelection a referendum on Trudeau, and suggested that even a close win for the Liberals would require him to step down.
The election was triggered after Liberal MP Carolyn Bennett said she was retiring from politics, only to shortly thereafter announce a new role as Canada’s ambassador to Denmark. During the most previous election in 2021, Bennett won 49% of the vote for the Liberals, with the Conservatives coming in second place, getting 25%.
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