Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was urged by fellow party members to consider stepping down during a private caucus meeting in Ottawa on Wednesday, according to a report by The New York Times.
Trudeau is now facing an ultimatum from dissident Liberal MPs, who have urged him to decide on his future by October 28. 24 MPs signed an agreement calling on the Prime Minister to step down as party leader, CBC News reported.
This marks what could be the most serious internal challenge to Trudeau’s leadership in his nearly decade-long tenure as prime minister, raising questions about the future of both his leadership and the party’s prospects in the next federal election.
During Wednesday’s caucus meeting, a document was presented outlining the case for Trudeau’s resignation. The document stopped short of specifying any consequences if Trudeau fails to meet the deadline.
The meeting, attended by 153 Liberal MPs, highlighted a growing sense of unease that has permeated the party ranks, especially in light of recent poll numbers showing a steep decline in public support.
For over a year, the Liberals have been trailing the Conservative Party by double digits. The stakes have grown even higher with each passing month as the next federal election looms in October 2025.
Many in the party fear that with Trudeau at the helm, the Liberals could face a catastrophic defeat—perhaps their worst in recent memory. This boiled over in June and September, when the party suffered shocking defeats in two of its safest strongholds during bypolls.
Among the most vocal critics was Wayne Long, another MP from Atlantic Canada, who believes that the party stands a much better chance against the surging Conservatives with a fresh face leading the charge. “If the party had a new leader, it could beat the Conservatives,” Long said, underscoring the prevailing belief that Trudeau’s leadership is no longer an asset, but a liability.
The numbers paint a grim picture for Trudeau. A Nanos Research poll released on October 15 showed the Conservatives commanding 39% of public support, while the Liberals stood at 23%. With such figures, the Liberals are set to face a devastating loss, and the Conservatives could easily secure a comfortable majority.
Trudeau, however, has remained defiant and has reiterated his intention to lead the Liberals into the next election.
However, according to a Reuters report, there remains no formal mechanism to force Trudeau out. Unlike political systems like Australia’s, where party leaders can be swiftly replaced by parliamentary colleagues, Canada’s party leaders are elected by party members during special conventions.
Trudeau however, faces a growing discontent and has been blamed by critics for a number of problems—rising prices, a housing crisis, and what they perceive as a disconnection from the everyday struggles of Canadians.