Following a crushing loss in a by-election, a backbench MP has become the first member of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s Liberal Party caucus to demand his resignation.
Wayne Long said new leadership was needed “for the future of our party and for the good of our country” in an email obtained by Canadian news outlets that was delivered to other party members.
Mr. Long, who represents a riding in the province of New Brunswick, wrote, “The voters have spoken loud and clear, and they want a change.”.
It occurs after an awful result for the Liberals on Monday in a by-election, as they lost a Toronto seat they had occupied since 1993.
Having been an MP since 2015, Mr. Long had previously declared he would not run for office again.
The National Post reports that Newfoundland MP Ken McDonald answered every email from Mr. Long, stating, “Well said!”
Former Liberal lawmakers have also urged Mr. Trudeau to resign in recent days.
Among them was Catherine McKenna, who worked under Mr. Trudeau from 2015 until 2019 as the environment minister.
“The Liberal Party isn’t about one person. It’s about the values it stands for and it’s about improving the lives of Canadians,”said Ms McKenna in a statement she shared with media outlets.
“The prime minister has a legacy to be proud of, but it’s time for new ideas, new energy and a new leader.”
The next election in Canada has to happen by October 20, 2025.
Following the unexpected loss on Monday, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who has led the Liberal Party since 2015, promised to continue in his role.
“These are not easy times,” he said. “And it is clear,I and my entire team have much more hard work to do to deliver tangible, real progress that Canadians can see and feel.”
Since the defeat, the prime minister has declined to answer questions from the media.
By a little over 500 votes, the Conservatives took the Toronto-St. Paul seat.
Pressures from the rising cost of living are just one of the many problems that have contributed to Mr. Trudeau’s sharp decline in popularity.
According to a recent Ipsos survey conducted for Global News, up to 68% of Canadians support Mr. Trudeau’s resignation.
