Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is facing renewed calls to resign from his own MPs, as reports of a caucus revolt swirl on Parliament Hill.
Sean Casey, a Liberal backbencher who represents the Charlottetown riding, told CBC’s Power and Politics on Tuesday that Trudeau needs to step down as he’s heard from voters that they’ve “tuned him (the prime minister) out” and “want him to go.
“The message that I’ve been getting loud and clear — and more and more strongly as time goes by — is that it is time for (Trudeau) to go,” Casey told host David Cochrane. “And I agree.
“People have had enough.”
Casey’s public criticism of Trudeau follows reports of MPs growing increasingly anxious about their leader’s sagging approval ratings and the party’s electoral fortunes, especially in the wake of a byelection defeat in Toronto–St. Paul’s, which had been a safe Liberal seat until the Conservatives captured it in June.
The revolt seems to be brewing in Ontario and the Maritime provinces after “disgruntled” MPs met over the summer to discuss a “path forward,” CBC News reported, citing sources.
Among those to publicly call for Trudeau’s resignation are P.E.I.’s Casey and New Brunswick MP Wayne Long, while Newfoundland and Labrador MP Ken McDonald has called for the prime minister to face a leadership review.
Former Ottawa-area MP Catherine McKenna, who was a cabinet minister under Trudeau, has also said the party needs a new leader.
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Casey told the CBC he had not attended — nor was he aware of — the meeting of disgruntled MPs, but he said efforts to turf Trudeau could ratchet up once lawmakers return to Parliament Hill next week. He stressed there is a “high level of anxiety” over this leadership.
“There are a lot of people who have concerns,” Casey, who believes the electorate is no longer listening to Trudeau, told the CBC.
“But those who have come to the same conclusion as me seem to be becoming more emboldened with the passage of time.”
The CBC, citing anonymous sources, reported that some MPs are being asked to sign something resembling a pledge that they remain united in calling for Trudeau to step down, with at least 20 MPs signing on and others voicing their support.
Casey’s comments came as the federal Liberals continue to slide in the polls with Abacus showing the Conservatives at 43% support earlier this month followed by the Liberals at 22% and the NDP at 19%.