A Liberal MP from London, Ont., is joining several of his caucus colleagues in publicly calling on Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to resign as leader of the party — and he says the number of Liberals who want Trudeau to step down will likely get even bigger.
“At the present time, the continued leadership of Prime Minister Trudeau is just not tenable — in particular of what’s happened with [Chrystia] Freeland,” Peter Fragiskatos said in an interview with CBC News.
Fragiskatos, who represents London North Centre, said he gave the prime minister space over the holidays to reflect on his future after Freeland abruptly resigned as finance minister and deputy prime minister, which he called a “defining moment.”
“It’s now January 4,” Fragiskatos said. “I believe that [Trudeau] has had a very good opportunity to consider his future … The Christmas holidays have passed. Constituents want to know where I stand.”
Fragiskatos joins a chorus of other Liberals who are publicly calling on Trudeau to resign, including Winnipeg South Centre MP Ben Carr, Don Valley West MP Robert Oliphant and Mount Royal MP Anthony Housefather.
“A number of members of parliament have expressed the view now that the prime minister ought to resign,” Fragiskatos said. “That number has grown and frankly, is likely to grow larger.”
Peter Fragiskatos, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, London Mayor Josh Morgan and MP Arielle Kayabaga visit an affordable housing project in London, Ont., on Wednesday, Sept. 13, 2023. (Nicole Osborne/The Canadian Press)
Some regional caucuses, including Atlantic, Quebec and Ontario Liberal MPs, are also reportedly encouraging the prime minister to step down as party leader.
Despite publicly calling for Trudeau’s resignation, Fragiskatos also said that “in the fullness of time” the prime minister will be seen “quite favourably either by historians or other analysts, and I think even in the general public.”
As for what comes next, Fragiskatos said he hopes the party opens a path for a leadership contest where “good, thoughtful candidates offer a view on the country, its social future [and] economic future.”
“One thing the Conservatives ought to remember is they should never underestimate the Liberal Party of Canada,” Fragiskatos said. “This is one of the most successful political parties in the Western political tradition.”
Liberal MPs meeting Wednesday
Liberal national caucus chair Brenda Shanahan has called a meeting on Wednesday, Jan. 8 with the entire Liberal caucus, according to an email sent to MPs and shared with CBC News on Friday. It is scheduled to run as long as six hours.
Fragiskatos said he’s not sure what the prime minister would be doing at the meeting. But since it’s scheduled as a long meeting, “there will be an opportunity to talk about the weeks and months ahead.”
Multiple Liberal MPs hope the meeting will bring an end to months of private and public efforts to try and force Trudeau to step down.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau arrives to sign a book of condolences for former U.S. president Jimmy Carter at the U.S. Embassy in Ottawa, on Friday, Jan. 3, 2025. (Justin Tang/The Canadian Press)
MPs also say they still have no indication of the prime minister’s intentions. One MP told CBC News they would not be surprised if Trudeau intends to stay on despite efforts to remove him.
The Conservatives lead the Liberals by 23 points nationwide, according to CBC’s Poll Tracker. But Fragiskatos said he believes a new leader who articulates a bold vision for the present and future can “recapture the imagination of Canadians.”
“It will be a very difficult challenge, to be sure, but not impossible,” Fragiskatos said.
