Last update December 20, 2024.
Twenty Liberal MPs have called on Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to step down after following Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland’s surprise resignation from cabinet Monday morning.
A group of 23 Liberal MPs previously signed a letter in October calling for Trudeau’s resignation at the next caucus meeting, although the push seemed to fizzle out and few MPs publicly put their names to the calls. That has not been the case since Freeland’s announcement. Here are the MPs now openly calling for Trudeau to resign.
Liberal MP Francois Drouin
One of the first to call for his leader’s resignation was Liberal MP Francois Drouin, who called on Trudeau to resign live on television.
“I think he needs to go,” said Drouin. “I think today’s resignation is a sign of that.”
Liberal MP Chad Collins
The Liberal MP representing Hamilton East—Stoney Creek, Chad Collins, also joined the call for Trudeau’s resignation.
He reminded Canadians that he was among the group of 23 MPs who formerly asked Trudeau to step down in Oct.
“Today, I publicly reiterate my request that the Prime Minister step down and initiate a leadership process to take our country in a new direction,” wrote Collins in his letter shared to X.
Liberal MP Patrick Weiler
Another Liberal MP who was among the 23 MPs who formerly called on Trudeau’s resignation, Patrick Weiler, also re-iterated his call publicly. He shared a letter he wrote to X on Monday.
“It is clear that the Prime Minister has lost the confidence of members of caucus and increasingly much of the country. With so many important issues at hand here at home and abroad, this reality demands substantive change,” said Weiler. “I reiterate my call for the Prime Minister to step aside and allow the initiation of a leadership process.”
Liberal MP Helena Jaczek
An Ontario Liberal MP representing the riding of Markham—Stouffville, Helena Jaczek, was another Liberal MP calling on Trudeau to resign.
“Firing a strong female leader and Minister of Finance, after years of dedicated service, is unacceptable. It is time for Justin Trudeau to resign as Prime Minister,” she said.
Liberal MP René Arseneault
The Liberal MP representing the constituency of Madawaska—Restigouche in New Brunswick, René Arseneault, was also said to have requested Trudeau’s resignation.
Liberal MP Anthony Housefather
While not having initially called on Trudeau to resign, Liberal MP Anthony Housefather wrote to the Liberal Caucus Chair, Brenda Shanahan, to convene a national caucus meeting within the next 24 hours.
Housefather did explicitly ask Trudeau to resign shortly after.
Liberal MP Wayne Long
New Brunswick Liberal MP Wayne Long had some harsh words for Trudeau, calling for his immediate resignation.
Long said the growing momentum against Trudeau’s leadership was previously between 23 and 30 MPs, but has now grown to between 45 and 50.
He equated Freeland’s letter to a vote of non-confidence from within the cabinet.
He said he was amazed that Liberal MPs emerged from the caucus meeting saying they had confidence in Trudeau, when he knows the opposite to be true.
“To be blunt: he’s delusional right now. I think that he’s living in a false reality,” said Long.
He added that the Liberals would be “decimated” in the next election if Trudeau refuses to step down.
“He’s out of touch with reality right now. He needs to read the room and he needs to listen to people around him. He needs to listen to his caucus. He needs to look at the polls. He needs to look at this country from coast to coast to coast. What demographic, what region are we strong in right now? I can’t name one,” said Long.
Liberal MP Serge Cormier
The Liberal MP representing the New Brunswick riding of Acadie—Bathurst, Serge Cormier, echoed his provincial colleagues’ concerns when speaking with Brunswick News.
“I think it’s time for the prime minister to really think about what’s good for the future of government, what’s good for the future of the Liberal party and give his job to somebody else,” he said.
Liberal MP Jenica Atwin
The New Brunswick Liberal MP representing the riding of Fredericton also called for Trudeau’s resignation in an interview with Brunswick News.
Jenica Atwin, who was previously a Green MP, said that she’s tried to keep her head down and just continue working but that the overwhelming distraction has become unavoidable.
She added that the party needs to be led by someone who can prove they’re listening to the concerns of Canadians and caucus members, and if that doesn’t happen, she will not run again.
Liberal MP Ken Hardie
Ken Hardie, the MP for the British Columbia riding of Fleetwood—Port Kells, told CBC that he was willing to give Trudeau more time to restore his confidence with Canadians, but that time has long passed.
“The prime minister has not moved the needle,” he told CBC.
He added that despite the Liberals implementing various policies recently, Canadians aren’t buying what they’re selling because they are done with Trudeau.
Liberal MP Ken McDonald
The Newfoundland and Labrador Liberal MP representing Avalon, Ken McDonald, has renewed his previous call for Trudeau’s resignation.
A longtime critic of the federal carbon tax, McDonald was also among the previous 23 MPs who signed the letter calling for Trudeau’s resignation in Oct., according to NTV.
He also noted his surprise at the news of Freeland resigning and Housing Minister Sean Fraser announcing he would not be seeking re-election.
Liberal MP Yvan Baker
Ontario Liberal MP representing the constituency of Etobicoke Centre, Yvan Baker, joined the chorus of voices calling for Trudeau to leave. Baker took it one step further, telling CBC that he thinks Trudeau will resign.
“I believe it’s really, really important that he steps down. It’s in the best interest of the country, and it’s what our constituents are telling us,” Baker told CBC.
Liberal MP Sean Casey
Charlottetown, P.E.I. Liberal MP Sean Casey told CBC that many of his colleagues are concerned with how Freeland was treated by Trudeau.
He said that the list will continue to grow, as some MPs are waiting for cabinet positions to be filled before they speak out.
“There’s eight or nine cabinet positions available. There’s 30 people that think they’re in the running. In my view, the cabinet shuffle is being delayed to keep them off the list,” said Casey. “They’re going to be a heck of a lot more interested in speaking out once they find out that they’re not going into cabinet.”
Liberal MP Alexandra Mendès
Quebec Liberal MP Alexandra Mendès voiced her concern with the handling of Freeland’s removal.
“I was really affected by the way the minister of finance was treated,” she told CBC.
She was previously convinced that Trudeau should stay on for the next election but has changed her tune and thinks he needs to resign.
Liberal MP Brendan Hanley
Yukon MP Brendan Hanley told CBC his party is in need of someone else at the helm.
“I don’t see any viable path forward with the prime minister staying as our leader. I think now is the time to allow for a leader to take over and to really bring a different vision and a new energy to the party,” said Hanley.
He added that he told Trudeau that his constituents, along with party supporters and donors in the Yukon, felt that the Liberals required new leadership.
Hanley said that he is calling for a vote by secret ballot among Liberal MPs as to whether Trudeau should stay or resign.
Liberal MP Valerie Bradford
Ontario MP Valerie Bradford called for Trudeau’s resignation in an interview with CTV. She said that Canadians feel negatively about all ballot choices right now.
“If we were to have an election right now, it would be nice to offer them somebody to vote for as opposed to against, so that we would have a good voter turnout so that the elction results will be valid,” said Bradford.
Liberal MP Sophie Chatel
Quebec MP Sophie Chatel told CBC reporter J.P. Tasker that it was time for Trudeau to resign.
“I believe it is in the best interest of both the party and the country for the prime minister to initiate a leadership change,” she said.
Liberal MP Heath MacDonald
Prince Edward Island MP Heath MacDonald was added to the list of MPs calling for Trudeau’s resignation by CBC.
“I’m hoping the people surrounding the PM, including ministers, will have a frank and honest discussion about the Liberal Party of Canada’s future and put their own personal pererogatives aside,” MacDonald told CBC.
“It is really hard to support him at this stage,” he added.
Liberal MP Robert Oliphant
Ontario MP Robert Oliphant posted a letter on X on Friday outlining his concerns about Trudeau.
He said that while he and his constituency are grateful for Trudeau and his political career, they share the belief that he needs to step aside.
Oliphant added that he considers Trudeau a close friend, as they were elected together in 2008. However, he said that it was now time for Trudeau to do his part to ensure that Canada remains strong and united.
“With profound thankfulness and great respect, I join the Don Valley West Federal Liberal Association in requesting the Prime Minister take appropriate steps to relinquish the leadership of the Liberal Party of Canada to a new leader elected through a robust, open leadership contest,” said Oliphant.
Liberal MP Chandra Arya
Ontario MP Chandra Arya posted a letter to Trudeau on X Friday afternoon.
He said he leans center-right fiscally but has always supported Trudeau despite disagreeing with his left-most positions.
“However, it became apparent today that you no longer hold the confidence of the House of Commons,” said Arya. “Now I (am) reasonably certain that a majority of the Liberal caucus no longer supports your leadership.”
Arya took his calls for resignation a step further. He offered clear support for Chrystia Freeland to take over the party’s control.
“With all opposition parties united to vote on a motion of non-confidence, I believe it is time for you to step aside as leader of the Liberal caucus immediately,” said Arya. “Under Chrystia’s leadership, we can preserve your legacy and protect it from being dismantled by the current official opposition.”
This is a developing story and is being updated as more MPs call for Justin Trudeau to resign. It has been updated once so far.
