Canadian PM’s Absence Fuels Leadership Crisis as Party Members Call for Exit
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau faces escalating pressure to resign as his weeks-long absence from public view and sliding poll numbers deepen a crisis within his Liberal Party.
Trudeau has not made any public appearances since Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland’s resignation on December 16, which came with a public letter criticizing his leadership. Sources familiar with his schedule say he spent the holidays at a Western Canadian ski resort with no official events planned through this week.
Liberal lawmakers from multiple regions are now publicly demanding change. The party’s Quebec caucus has joined Ontario members in calling for Trudeau’s departure, according to CBC News. Toronto Member of Parliament Rob Oliphant issued a letter urging Trudeau to allow for “a new leader elected through a robust, open leadership contest.”
Atlantic province Liberal representatives cited concerns about potential US trade relations. “The country could face instability, notably from an economic threat in the potential of a 25% US tariff on Canadian imports from the incoming administration,” wrote Kody Blois, who leads the Liberal caucus from Canada’s four easternmost provinces.
A new Nanos Research poll conducted over the holiday period shows the opposition Conservative Party extending its lead as the country enters an election year. The latest Angus Reid poll shows Conservatives adding 122 seats to its current position, while Trudeau’s Liberals are project to win just six seats..
It also found that 75% of Canadians and over half of 2021 Liberal voters disapprove of Trudeau.
Trudeau, meanwhile, has given no indication of when he will address questions about his political future.
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