The prime minister’s popularity has plummeted after nine years at the helm
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is facing calls to step down from members of his own Liberal Party, CBC News reported on Thursday. More than 20 Liberal MPs have signed a letter urging him to resign or face consequences.
The lawmakers have given Trudeau until October 28 to decide his future. One of the signatories, Liberal MP Wayne Long, told CBC that a change in leadership is in the party’s best interest.
However, Trudeau maintained on Thursday that the party is united and strong. He has consistently stated his intention to lead the Liberals into the next election in 2025.
Trudeau’s popularity has dwindled after nine years in office, according to the CBC Poll Tracker, which shows the Conservatives holding a 19-point lead over the ruling Liberals. While the letter signers are unwilling to disclose their identities and represent a relatively small portion of the 152-member Liberal caucus, CBC notes that it represents a significant blow to a prime minister already trailing in polls and facing the daunting task of securing a fourth term.
Trudeau’s last four years in power have been marked by the COVID-19 pandemic and economic struggles. Inflation and rising interest rates have eroded Canadians’ purchasing power since 2022, particularly impacting lower-income households, according to a parliamentary report released earlier this month.
According to a report in Politico, the MPs calling for Trudeau’s resignation believe his personality has become a distraction. Notably, Conservative Party leader Pierre Poilievre, seen as Trudeau’s primary opponent, has been consistently ahead in Canadian opinion polls for over a year.
This development also comes amid a diplomatic standoff with India over allegations of targeting Sikh separatists on Canadian soil. Sikhs, numbering around 700,000 according to the latest Canadian census, constitute a significant voting bloc.
Last year, Trudeau linked the killings to “agents of the Indian government” and launched an investigation into the matter. In October, Canadian police alleged that Indian diplomats were involved in “widespread violence,” including homicide, and posed a “serious threat to public safety,” while Trudeau stated that New Delhi was making a “fundamental error” by allegedly supporting violence on Canadian soil. New Delhi has repeatedly denied these allegations, claiming Trudeau provided no proof for the claims.
Last week, Trudeau admitted to a Canadian court that his allegations were based on “primarily intelligence, not hard evidentiary proof.” India has suggested that Trudeau’s allegations are “politically motivated.” Following Canada’s fresh allegations, both New Delhi and Ottawa expelled six diplomats, including high commissioners, in a tit-for-tat move.