Liberal MP Anthony Housefather says the “vast majority” of MPs within his party want to see Prime Minister Justin Trudeau resign immediately.
Housefather had already previously stated his desire to see Trudeau step down but now says that sentiment is felt by a growing number of MPs who’ve privately called for him to step down ahead of what appears to be an imminent election.
Housefather told Global News in an interview Sunday that “Canadians have clearly lost confidence in him, and Canadians want him to go.”
“It’s clear they’ve tuned him out, and he is not the best person to deliver the message of our party in the next election,” said Housefather.
He fears that if Trudeau remains at the party’s helm, the election will be focused on his leadership, instead of Canadians comparing the Liberals’ policies against those of the Conservatives and the NDP.
Housefather thinks it’s time for the Liberal party to take on “a more centrist vision” than the direction it has gone under Trudeau.
“For the vast majority of people I’m talking to, they recognize that,” he said. “They know that we’re at a precipice. This is the last time that our leader can change, and I think that they would like that to happen.”
Housefather said he’s not alone, adding that a “significant majority of MPs” also believe Trudeau “has no path to remain” on as the party’s leader.
Whether or not Trudeau plans to prorogue Parliament to buy himself time, Housefather said his resignation must be the next step to allow for the party to select a replacement, which should be done sooner than later.
“The immediate step that he needs to take, I think, is to show Canadians that he’s heard the message. “He’s done a lot of great things for the country, but this is now the time,” he said.
“All great leaders need to recognize that there’s a certain time for them to go. I think he’s left it a little bit too late, but I think he can still preserve his legacy by doing this relatively quickly.”
Multiple media outlets have reported on a weekend Zoom call with 51 of the Liberal caucus’ 75 Ontario MPs – all of whom reached a “consensus” that Trudeau must step down.
Some MPs on the call said Trudeau’s brand has become “toxic.”