Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is facing increasing calls for his resignation from within his own Liberal Party, as dissenting Members of Parliament (MPs) have given him an ultimatum to decide his future by October 28. The internal pressure was revealed during a closed-door caucus meeting on Wednesday, held at Parliament Hill, where frustrations and grievances were directly conveyed to the prime minister.
According to a report by CBC News, a group of 24 Liberal MPs signed an agreement calling for Trudeau to step down as party leader. The push for his resignation comes amid growing discontent within the party, with concerns about the future of the Liberals as the country approaches the next federal election.
During the three-hour meeting, British Columbia MP Patrick Weiler presented a document outlining the case for Trudeau’s resignation. The document suggested that the Liberal Party could experience a resurgence similar to the U.S. Democratic Party’s revival after President Joe Biden announced he would not run for re-election. The document, however, did not specify any consequences if Trudeau fails to meet the October 28 deadline.
Approximately 20 MPs, none of whom are cabinet ministers, took the floor to urge Trudeau to step down before the next election. Despite the opposition from a faction within the party, a number of MPs voiced their support for the prime minister, according to sources from the meeting.
Immigration Minister Marc Miller acknowledged the frustrations aired by some Liberal MPs, stating that these concerns had been “simmering for some time” but emphasized that the situation was not “code red.” He added that Trudeau was fully capable of handling the truth and respecting the feedback from his colleagues.
The political unrest comes against the backdrop of escalating tensions between India and Canada, following Trudeau’s accusations in the Canadian Parliament last year. Trudeau alleged that India was involved in the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, an accusation India strongly denied. The diplomatic row has further strained ties between the two nations, adding to the political turmoil surrounding Trudeau.
Nijjar, who was designated as a terrorist by India in 2020, was shot and killed outside a Gurdwara in Surrey, British Columbia, in June 2022. The situation worsened when Canada labeled India’s High Commissioner and other diplomats as “persons of interest” in the investigation of Nijjar’s death.
Sources By Agencies
