A backbench MP has become the first sitting member of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s Liberal Party to call for him to resign following a disastrous defeat in the midterm elections.
Wayne Long said in an email to party members, obtained by Canadian media, that new leadership is needed “for the future of our party and for the good of our country.”
Mr Long, who represents a riding school in the province of New Brunswick, wrote: “the voters have spoken loud and clear and they want change.”
It follows a disastrous result for the Liberals in Monday’s by-election, when they lost a Toronto seat they had held since 1993.
Mr Long has been a Member of Parliament since 2015 and had previously indicated that he would not seek re-election.
According to the National Post, Newfoundland MP Ken McDonald replied to Mr. Long’s email and said, “well said!”
In recent days, former Liberal politicians have also called on Mr Trudeau to resign.
Among them was Catherine McKenna, who served as environment minister under Trudeau from 2015 to 2019.
“The Liberal Party is not about one person. It’s about the values it stands for and improving the lives of Canadians,” Ms. McKenna said in a statement she shared with the media.
“The Prime Minister has a legacy to be proud of, but it is time for new ideas, new energy and a new leader.”
Former British Columbia Liberal Premier Christy Clark made a similar statement in an interview with the Toronto Star on Thursday.
Ms Clark said the Prime Minister “does not have the appeal to voters that he once did, but more importantly he is not even able to motivate some of the people in the country who are most likely to vote for his party”.
The next elections in Canada must take place no later than October 20, 2025.
After Monday’s stunning defeat, Trudeau, who has been prime minister since 2015, vowed to remain as leader of the Liberal Party.
“These are not easy times,” he said. “And it’s clear that I and my entire team have to work even harder to deliver tangible, real progress that Canadians can see and feel.”
The prime minister has not answered questions from reporters since the loss.
The Conservatives captured the seat of Toronto-St Paul by just over 500 votes.
Mr. Trudeau has seen his popularity decline significantly due to a host of issues, including cost-of-living pressures.
A recent Ipsos poll for Global News found that a whopping 68% of Canadians want Trudeau to resign.
