Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has reaffirmed his intention to lead the Liberal Party into the next federal election, despite calls from some party members for him to step down before seeking a fourth term. This decision comes after a three-hour meeting with Liberal Members of Parliament (MPs) where Trudeau was informed that over 20 lawmakers had signed a letter urging him to resign.
In response to these internal concerns, Trudeau acknowledged that "robust conversations" are taking place regarding the party's future direction. However, he emphasized that he will remain at the helm as the leader going into the next election.
Historically, no Canadian prime minister has achieved four consecutive terms in over a century. While Trudeau's cabinet members have expressed strong support for him among the 153 Liberal MPs, recent setbacks in special elections for two long-held seats in Toronto and Montreal have raised questions about his leadership capabilities.
The timing of the next federal election is uncertain, as it could occur anytime between this fall and October of next year. The Liberal Party currently lacks a majority in parliament and will need to secure support from at least one major party to govern effectively.
The leader of the opposition Bloc Québécois has indicated that his party may collaborate with the Conservatives and the New Democratic Party (NDP) to challenge the Liberals and call for an election if the government does not increase pensions.
Nelson Wiseman, a professor emeritus at the University of Toronto, noted that while there is growing pressure on Trudeau, his dissenting lawmakers have limited power to force him out of leadership. “Trudeau holds all the cards. It is up to him if he wants to stay,” Wiseman explained, citing the Liberal Party's revised rules from 2016, which protect the leader from internal challenges as long as they remain prime minister.
Trudeau, who initially gained significant popularity by channeling the legacy of his father, the late Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau, now faces mounting challenges. Canadians are expressing frustration over rising living costs and other issues stemming from the country’s recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Recent polling data from Nanos indicates that the Liberals currently trail the Conservatives by 38% to 25%, further complicating Trudeau's position as he prepares for the upcoming electoral battle. The poll surveyed 1,037 respondents and has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.1 percentage points.
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