Trudeau faces pressure as Liberals lose key Montreal seat to Bloc Quebecois
- In Reports
- 11:09 AM, Sep 18, 2024
- Myind Staff
Canada’s ruling Liberal Party has lost a once-safe seat in the Montreal parliamentary constituency of LaSalle-Emard-Verdun, preliminary results revealed on Tuesday. The defeat is expected to heighten pressure on Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as his leadership faces increasing scrutiny after nearly nine years in office.
Elections Canada reported that with 100% of the votes counted, the Liberal candidate Laura Palestini was narrowly defeated by the separatist Bloc Quebecois candidate Louis-Philippe Sauvé. Palestini received 27.2% of the vote, while Sauvé secured 28%. The New Democratic Party (NDP) candidate followed closely, receiving 26.1% of the vote. This by-election was held following the resignation of a Liberal legislator.
The outcome raises concerns about Trudeau’s political future, as his popularity has steadily declined amidst economic challenges, including inflation and a housing crisis. Trudeau has faced calls from within his party for a leadership change, with some members openly expressing doubt about his ability to lead the Liberals in the next federal election, which must take place by October 2025.
One notable critic is Alexandra Mendes, a Liberal lawmaker representing a Quebec constituency, who said last week that many of her constituents believe Trudeau should step down.
In the 2021 general election, the Liberals had comfortably won the LaSalle-Emard-Verdun seat with 43% of the vote, while the Bloc Quebecois and NDP garnered 22% and 19%, respectively. This sharp decline in Liberal support is seen as a reflection of broader voter dissatisfaction driven by rising costs of living and the ongoing housing crisis, exacerbated by a surge in temporary residents, including international students and workers.
Polls suggest that Trudeau's Liberals are trailing significantly behind Pierre Poilievre’s right-leaning Conservative Party, which is currently polling at 45% according to a recent Leger survey. The Liberals are lagging at 25%, a dismal figure for a party that has held power since 2015. Poilievre has pledged to eliminate the federal carbon tax, cap immigration until more housing can be built, and reduce government spending.
In response, Liberal strategists are doubling down on their efforts to portray Poilievre as aligned with former U.S. President Donald Trump’s "Make America Great Again" movement. Trudeau’s political adversary, known for his sharp criticisms, has also made headlines for vowing to defund the CBC and for being ejected from Parliament earlier this year after calling Trudeau “a wacko.”
Image source: ToI
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