For the third consecutive day since losing one of the easiest Liberal ridings in the country—viewed by some as a referendum on his leadership—Prime Minister Justin Trudeau remains in hiding. 

It’s a typical move for Trudeau during times of trouble that require leadership, as he similarly hid from the Freedom Convoy protesters for three weeks, ironically claiming he was resting with COVID just days after allegedly receiving his third “effective” shot.

Trudeau also went into hiding after a federal court judge ruled that he violated the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms by invoking the Emergency Act on those very protesters. 

This time, the embattled Prime Minister is taking the day off on Thursday, having made only one appearance on Wednesday. Notably, this appearance wasn’t broadcast by CPAC as usual, and he seemingly took no questions from reporters.

On Tuesday, after Canadians woke up to learn that the Liberals actually lost the Toronto St-Paul’s by-election, a former Liberal stronghold, Trudeau ended his unrelated announcement without taking any questions.

Calls for Trudeau to resign have never been louder, and some Liberal MPs are anonymously claiming they want him to take a hike.

Publicly, Liberal MP Ryan Turnbull deflected the question of Trudeau’s potential resignation, stating that he supports his leader, but added that “he’ll have to reevaluate and look at the results of last night’s byelection and do some reflecting, but that’s up to him.” 

But others, including his college buddies turned Ministers, have defended Trudeau, saying they believe he should remain PM.