Trudeau faces resignation calls from liberal MP amid polling crisis and diplomatic strain with India
- In Reports
- 05:08 PM, Oct 16, 2024
- Myind Staff
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has been urged to step down by Liberal backbencher Sean Casey, who cited mounting discontent within the party. People in his Charlotte town no longer reposing trust in Trudeau's leadership, Casey claimed in an exclusive interview with CBC News Network. "The message that I've been getting loud and clear is that it's time for [Trudeau] to go. And I agree. People have had enough," he told host David Cochrane.
Casey is the first Member of Parliament to openly call for Prime Minister Trudeau to step down, as reports surface that other Liberal MPs are also quietly working to remove him. Frustration within the party has grown following recent poll results showing Trudeau's popularity has hit a record low. An Ipsos poll found that only 28% of Canadians think he should be re-elected, and just 26% are willing to vote for the Liberal Party. This puts the party in a tough spot as the next federal election approaches.
At least 20 members of parliament have already agreed to sign a pledge calling for Trudeau's resignation. According to unidentified sources who spoke to CBC News, there is a "high level of anxiety" about Trudeau's leadership in the Liberal caucus. Casey stated that he has not personally seen the document. "I would say it's wider than meets the eye. There are a lot of people who have concerns,” Casey said.
The remarks made by Casey coincide with tense diplomatic ties with India and anti-incumbency pressure on Trudeau. Following the June 2023 murder of Nijjar outside a Sikh temple in Surrey, British Columbia, tensions between India and Canada have increased. India accused Nijjar of engaging in extremist activities and declared him a terrorist in 2020. Ottawa's charges were sharply denied by New Delhi, which also expelled six Canadian diplomats.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) issued a harsh statement, accusing Trudeau of taking advantage of the circumstance for his own political ends. "Prime Minister Trudeau's hostility to India has long been evident. His government's interference in Indian internal politics and pandering to separatist agendas has strained relations for narrow political gains," read the statement. According to the MEA, these charges also emerged right before Trudeau was scheduled to testify before a commission looking into foreign meddling in Canadian politics.
Trudeau has responded by defending the policies of his administration, stating that Canada would "stand firm for the safety of all citizens." During a press conference, he dismissed concerns over internal party disputes, saying, "There will be time to talk about internal party intrigue at another moment. Right now, this government is focused on standing up for Canada's sovereignty."
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