OTTAWA, Oct 24: Calls for Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to resign have intensified within the Liberal Party, following a closed-door meeting of dissident MPs on Parliament Hill on Wednesday, as reported by CBC News. During this weekly caucus session, members expressed their dissatisfaction directly to Trudeau, highlighting a growing rift within the party.
The dissenting MPs have issued an ultimatum for Trudeau to determine his future by October 28, with a document outlining reasons for his resignation presented at the meeting. Reports indicate that 24 MPs have signed a petition urging Trudeau to step down as Liberal leader, although the document did not outline any consequences if he does not comply.
British Columbia MP Patrick Weiler suggested that the Liberal Party could experience a revival similar to the U.S. Democratic Party’s resurgence following President Joe Biden’s decision not to seek re-election. Approximately 20 MPs, none of whom are cabinet ministers, spoke during the three-hour meeting to encourage Trudeau to resign before the next election, while some also expressed support for him.
Immigration Minister Marc Miller acknowledged the frustrations among certain Liberal MPs, emphasizing the importance of expressing concerns. He remarked, “This isn’t a code red situation. The prime minister can certainly handle the truth.”
The political turmoil is further complicated by rising tensions between Canada and India, which have escalated since Trudeau alleged last year in Parliament that there were credible claims regarding India’s involvement in the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
India has dismissed these allegations as “absurd” and accused Canada of harboring extremist groups. The situation escalated when Canada identified India’s High Commissioner and other diplomats as “persons of interest” in the investigation into Nijjar’s killing, which occurred outside a Gurdwara in Surrey in June 2023.
