Justin Trudeau is under increasing pressure from members of his own party as dissenting Liberal MP have issued an ultimatum demanding he make a decision about his future by October 28.
Ottawa:
Calls for Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau resignation as Liberal leader intensified on Wednesday as Liberal MP gathered on Parliament Hill.
During the closed door meeting dissenting MP expressed their grievances to Trudeau highlighting growing discontent within the party. This gathering was part of the weekly caucus meetings held while the House of Commons is in session. The Wednesday meeting provided MP a platform to voice their concerns and frustrations directly to Trudeau.
Trudeau is under increasing pressure from within his own party as dissenting Liberal MP have given him an ultimatum to decide his future by October 28. During the caucus meeting document was presented making the case for Trudeau resignation though it did not outline specific consequences if he fails to meet the deadline.
Sources speaking to Radio Canada revealed that 24 MP signed an agreement urging Trudeau to step down as Liberal leader.
During the meeting British Columbia MP Patrick Weiler presented a document advocating for Justin Trudeau resignation. The document suggested that the Liberal party could experience a revival similar to what happened with the Democrats in the U.S. after President Joe Biden chose not to run for re-election in the upcoming presidential elections.
MP were each given two minutes to speak during the three hours long meeting. Around 20 MP none of whom were cabinet ministers urged Trudeau to step down before the next election according to sources. However several MP also expressed their support for the prime minister.
Immigration Minister Marc Miller acknowledged the frustrations of some Liberal MP and expressed respect for those who addressed their concerns directly to Trudeau.
Fundamentally this has been simmering for some time and it important for people to express their feelings. This isn’t a crisis. The prime minister can certainly handle the truth the report added.
The latest political divide in Canada has also been exacerbated by escalating tensions between India and Canada.
Relations between the two countries deteriorated after Trudeau alleged in Parliament last year that he had credible allegations of India involvement in the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
India denied the allegations calling them absurd and motivated and accused Canada of harboring extremist and anti India elements.
Nijjar designated a terrorist by India National Investigation Agency in 2020 was shot dead outside a Gurdwara in Surrey in June last year.
The recent diplomatic spat intensified when Canada labeled India High Commissioner and other diplomats as persons of interest in the investigation of Nijjar death.
