Justin Trudeau Faces Leadership Test At Liberal Caucus Meet, Could Be Asked To Resign

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau faces a crucial leadership challenge this week as disgruntled members of the Canadian parliament have called for a crucial meeting of the Liberal caucus.

Canadian news media outlet Global News said that at least thirty Liberal MPs have signed an internal document calling on Trudeau to step aside. It is likely that the issue will be raised at the Liberal caucus meeting. Liberal MP Sean Casey was the first to publicly confirm that he signed a letter calling for Trudeau’s resignation earlier this month, a Canadian newspaper reported this week.

“There’s been baggage accumulated. People have tuned him out,” Casey was quoted as saying by the Globe and Mail. Some Liberal Party members have told the Hill Times said MPs who are backing Trudeau will end up making a “tactical mistake” if they silence the dissenters. However, it is Trudeau who will make the final call because there is no way the MPs can depose him.

Should Trudeau choose to yield to the MPs’ demands, he might either declare his immediate resignation or state his intention not to seek re-election. Up until now, he has remained firm in asserting that he has no plans to step aside, reiterating on Tuesday morning with a clear “no” when questioned about the security of his leadership.

His cabinet ministers also told Canadian news media outlets that the Liberal Party chief is here to stay. “It’s a large tent and people are entitled to their opinions … and mine is that I support this prime minister unequivocally,” said Marci Ien, minister for women and gender equality and youth, was quoted as saying by Global News.