Number of former Liberal ministers call for Trudeau to resign

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A number of former ministers who served in Justin Trudeau’s government are calling for his resignation, along with former B.C. premier Christy Clark, following the Liberals Toronto—St. Paul’s byelection defeat.

Conservative candidate Don Stewart defeated Leslie Church earlier this week after the Liberals had held control of the riding for more than 30 years.

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In the aftermath, Trudeau said he heard the “concerns and frustrations” of voters.

“These are not easy times, and it is clear I, and my entire Liberal team, have much more work to do to deliver tangible, real progress that Canadians can see and feel,” Trudeau said at a press conference in British Columbia on Tuesday.

“We’ll never stop working and fighting to make sure people have what they need to get through these tough times. My focus is on your success, and that’s where it’s going to stay.”

Whether Trudeau should stay, however, is a different matter within his own party.

Former B.C. premier Christy Clark called for him to step down in an interview with the Toronto Star following the byelection defeat.

Trudeau “doesn’t have the pull with voters that he once had, but more importantly, he isn’t even able to motivate some of the people in the country who are most likely to vote for his party,” Clark said. “That’s a tough message for any leader.”

“In my experience, if people don’t feel like the country is going in the right direction — and clearly Canada isn’t going in the right direction right now — they will blame the leader and they should. Because the leader sets the agenda. The leader is the one that gives direction to his or her cabinet. The leader is the one who sets the economic priorities or fails to do so.”

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Clark, who was B.C.’s premier from 2011 to 2017, added that she wants “the Liberal party that I used to vote for to come back.”

Catherine McKenna, who Trudeau appointed as his first minister of the environment and climate change in 2015, was even more pointed.

“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,” McKenna said in a media statement, per CBC.

“The prime minister has a legacy to be proud of, but it’s time for new ideas, new energy and a new leader. There’s too much at stake in this election, especially on the economy and the climate.”

McKenna, who founded the advisory firm Climate and Nature Solutions after leaving politics in 2021, took to X on Friday, posing that “sometimes you need to say uncomfortable things.”

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“I get that some may not be happy. That’s life. Offline to focus on family. Happy almost Canada Day! We are fortunate to live in a great country – a work in progress but wouldn’t choose anywhere else!” she added.

McKenna was the first person who served in Trudeau’s cabinet to call for his resignation.

Jane Philpott, meanwhile, also took to X to post a cryptic message.

“There comes a time when wise leaders decide to step aside gracefully and pass the baton,” she posted, without specifically naming Trudeau.

Philpott was appointed Minister of Health by Trudeau in 2015 and later served as Minister of Indigenous Services, President of the Treasury Board and Minister of Digital Government.

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Two other former Liberal ministers, who served under Jean Chrétien, have also called on Trudeau to resign.

“There comes a time when you’ve got to know when to hold ‘em and when to fold ‘em. And my suggestion would be, it’s time to fold ‘em,” Wayne Easter told the Globe and Mail Wednesday.

Easter, who was a Liberal MP from 2000 to 2021 and solicitor general in Chretien’s government, added that the “negative focal point against the government of Canada right now, like it or not, is the Prime Minister.”

John Manley, who held key cabinet positions including Minister of Industry, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Deputy Prime Minister from the early 1990s to the early 2000s, also said it’s time for Trudeau to walk away.

“My view is that he can’t win the next election,” Manley told the Globe and Mail. “And I think for his benefit, and for the party’s, he should really take a close look at turning the leadership over sooner rather than leaving it too late.”

Ontario Liberal leader Bonnie Crombie also attempted to distance herself from Trudeau this week, telling Global News she speaks with the PM “less than once a year” and her ideological standing “is a bit different.”

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“I’m much more of a centrist,” Crombie said.

Trudeau, for his part, has remained quiet this week aside from his B.C. press conference, where he didn’t take any questions.

Immigration Minister Marc Miller came to his defence earlier this week, telling reporters that he believes Trudeau should “absolutely” stay on.

While Miller noted the party was undergoing a “period of introspection” he also urged elected officials to get back to work.

“I think a lot of us have to take a step back and give our heads a shake and screw it on a little better, stop the navel-gazing and get back on the horse and fight for Canadians,” he said.

During a press conference on Tuesday, Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland was also asked repeatedly if Trudeau can remain as leader at this point.

“Yes, he certainly can,” she responded.

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