Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is facing calls for resignation from within his own party, with over 20 members of the Liberal Party pressing him to step down before October 28, according to a CBC News report. A group of lawmakers, in a letter sent to Trudeau, have demanded his departure to avoid what they term “consequences,” citing the need for fresh leadership to improve the party’s chances in the 2025 election.
“We believe that a change in leadership is what’s best for our party,” said Wayne Long, Liberal Member of Parliament, to CBC. Long and his colleagues represent a faction of Liberals reportedly concerned that Trudeau’s “personality” has become a “distraction.” This internal dissent comes as Conservative Party leader Pierre Poilievre, seen as Trudeau’s biggest rival, has dominated Canadian opinion polls for over a year, with CBC’s Poll Tracker showing the Conservative Party holding a 19-point lead over the Liberals.
Trudeau, who has led the Liberal Party for nine years, remains undeterred. “The party is strong and united,” he stated on Thursday, emphasizing his commitment to leading the Liberals in the 2025 general election despite mounting pressure from within.
The letter comes amid growing challenges for Trudeau, whose recent tenure has been marked by economic turbulence and public dissatisfaction. Inflation and high interest rates have contributed to financial strain for Canadian households, especially for lower-income families, according to a recent parliamentary report. While the dissenting MPs represent only a fraction of the Liberal caucus of 152 members, their appeal signals a significant internal challenge for Trudeau as he approaches the end of his third term.
In addition to internal strife, Trudeau’s government is grappling with an ongoing diplomatic row with India over allegations of targeting Sikh separatists on Canadian soil. Sikhs, numbering around 700,000 according to the latest Canadian census, represent a significant voting bloc. Last year, Trudeau linked the killings of Sikh leaders to “agents of the Indian government” and launched an investigation into the matter. In October, Canadian police claimed that Indian diplomats were involved in “widespread violence,” including homicide, and posed a “serious threat to public safety.” Trudeau stated that New Delhi was making a “fundamental error” by allegedly supporting violence on Canadian soil.
However, India has repeatedly denied these allegations, asserting that Trudeau provided no proof for his claims. Last week, Trudeau admitted in a Canadian court that his allegations were based on “primarily intelligence, not hard evidentiary proof.” In response, India has suggested that Trudeau’s allegations are “politically motivated.” Following Canada’s recent allegations, both New Delhi and Ottawa expelled six diplomats, including high commissioners, in a tit-for-tat move.
As the October 28 deadline looms, it remains to be seen whether Trudeau will yield to his party’s demands or press forward in his bid for a fourth mandate in 2025.
