Trudeau’s zero hour: Liberals prep for high-stakes showdown Wednesday

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OTTAWA — Liberal MPs are gearing up for a high stakes caucus meeting on Wednesday that could see multiple calls for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to resign, but it is unclear what, if anything, will come of the internal revolt or if it will simply fizzle out.

Before the cabinet meeting, Liberal ministers on Tuesday were reaffirming their confidence in Trudeau in droves while downplaying the idea that dozens of MPs had added their signatures to a letter to ask the prime minister to step down for the good of the country.

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“Look, have you seen the letter? I haven’t seen the letter. I’ve not seen the letter, and I’ve not signed the letter,” Employment Minister Randy Boissonnault told reporters.

Liberal MP Sean Casey was the first to publicly confirm that he signed the letter, but would not say how many of his colleagues had also signed. At least one other MP told the National Post they added their signature and that theirs was spilling onto a second page.

Boissonnault said he is offering his “unwavering support” for Trudeau and is committed to running in a fourth election with him at the helm of the party.

“Anybody who’s ever bet against Justin Trudeau are sorry they made that bet the next day.”

Health Minister Mark Holland said he believes Wednesday’s caucus meeting is going to be a healthy debate among a team.

“I think having a debate as a party about our future and where we should go is something that I welcome. I don’t think that’s a bad thing. I think it’s a sign of a strong democratic caucus,” he said.

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International Trade Minister Mary Ng seemed to know the question reporters were going to put to her even before it was asked. She yelled “yes, I have confidence in the prime minister,” as she walked past journalists lined up outside the cabinet meeting.

Immigration Minister Marc Miller said he believes the dissenters are in the minority.

“I think what you’ll see is that the vast majority of caucus and the entirety of cabinet is behind him,” he said.

Miller said he believes Trudeau is their best bet to win the next election and that should be the party’s focus, not these internal divisions.

“Any minute spent on this garbage is a minute that’s not spent on Pierre Poilievre and what he wants to do to this country, and I think that’s very dangerous.”

Labour Minister Steven MacKinnon said Trudeau has “passed every test that’s been put in front of him,” said it is time for the caucus to rally its forces in time for the next election.

“Anytime there are voices of dissent, we have to deal with them. We have to listen to them carefully, we have to deal with them and present a unified face to Canadians,” he said.

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“The Liberal Party of Canada is a very strong institution, and I know that the Liberal Party of Canada will remain a strong institution,” he added.

Few Liberal MPs who are not in the cabinet were publicly defending the prime minister in the days leading up to the much anticipated caucus meeting.

On Monday, Liberal MP Ken Hardie declined to share his thoughts and said he was saving that conversation for the upcoming meeting.

However, he said that the positions inside caucus are “very nuanced, much more than one would think” and that it’s “not like an on and off switch here.”

His colleague John McKay said he had not seen the letter, that he is not aware of anything and that he is “certainly not going to comment.”

“The only times I ever learn about any of this stuff is from you guys,” he said.

Conservative MPs were poking fun at their Liberal counterparts during question period. They heckled Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland, asking if she was among those in revolt against the prime minister.

“Did you sign the letter, Chrystia?” yelled one Conservative MP.

Liberal MP Yasir Naqvi said he supports Trudeau and accused his colleagues of distracting from the choice in the upcoming election with their grumblings.

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“What I hear from my constituents is that our fight is with Pierre Poilievre,” he said. “His politics are dangerous, his policies are reckless, he has no vision for the country. If anything, he wants to take us back. That’s what we need to really focus on.”

In any case, many MPs are anticipating many internal clashes during Wednesday’s showdown.

Speaking to reporters, Liberal MP Marcus Powlowski said he would be ready with snacks.

“I’m going to buy a big bag of popcorn and some pop and watch the show, just like all of you.”

National Post
calevesque@postmedia.com

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