Trudeau’s Zero Hour: Liberals prepare for high-stakes showdown Wednesday

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OTTAWA — Liberal MPs are preparing Wednesday for a high-stakes caucus meeting that could see multiple calls for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to resign, but it’s unclear what, if anything, will result from the internal revolt or whether it will simply turn off. .

Before the cabinet meeting, Liberal ministers en masse reaffirmed their confidence in Trudeau, while downplaying the idea that dozens of MPs had signed a letter asking the prime minister to step aside for the good of the country.

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“Listen, have you seen the letter? I haven’t seen the letter. I have not seen the letter and I did not sign it,” Employment Minister Randy Boissonnault told reporters.

Liberal MP Sean Casey was the first to publicly confirm he had signed the letter, but he would not say how many of his colleagues had also signed it. At least one other MP told the National Post that he added his signature and his signature spilled onto a second page.

Boissonnault said he offers his “unwavering support” to Trudeau and is committed to running in a fourth election with him as party leader.

“Everyone who ever bet against Justin Trudeau regrets having made that bet the next day.”

Health Minister Mark Holland said he believed Wednesday’s caucus meeting would be a healthy team debate.

“I think having a debate as a party about our future and the direction we should take is something I welcome. I don’t think that’s a bad thing. I think that’s the sign of a strong Democratic caucus,” he said.

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International Trade Minister Mary Ng seemed to know the question reporters were going to ask her before it was even asked. She shouted “yes, I have confidence in the prime minister” as she walked past journalists lined up outside the cabinet meeting.

Immigration Minister Marc Miller said he believed the dissidents were in the minority.

“I think what you’ll see is the vast majority of the caucus and the entire cabinet is behind him,” he said.

Miller said he believes Trudeau is their best bet to win the next election and that should be the party’s priority, not these internal divisions.

“Every minute spent on this garbage is a minute that is not spent on Pierre Poilievre and what he wants to do to this country, and I think that is very dangerous.”

Labor Minister Steven MacKinnon said Trudeau had “passed every test that was put before him,” adding that it was time for the caucus to rally its forces in time for the next election.

“Whenever there are dissenting voices, we have to deal with them. We must listen to them carefully, we must treat them and present a united face to Canadians,” he said.

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“The Liberal Party of Canada is a very strong institution, and I know that it will remain a strong institution,” he added.

Few non-Cabinet Liberal MPs publicly defended the prime minister in the days leading up to the much-anticipated caucus meeting.

Liberal MP Ken Hardie declined to share his thoughts on Monday and said he was saving that conversation for the next meeting.

However, he said positions within the caucus are “very nuanced, much more than you might think” and that this is “not an on-off switch.”

His colleague John McKay said he had not seen the letter, was not aware of anything and “certainly would not comment”.

“The only times I learn about all this is because of you,” he said.

Conservative MPs mocked their Liberal counterparts during question period. They heckled Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland, asking if she was one of those rebelling against the Prime Minister.

“Did you sign the letter, Chrystia?” » shouted a Conservative MP.

Liberal MP Yasir Naqvi said he supports Trudeau and accused his colleagues of distracting from the choice in the upcoming election with their grumbling.

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“What my constituents tell me is that our fight is against Pierre Poilievre,” he said. “His policies are dangerous, his policies are reckless, he has no vision for the country. On the contrary, he wants to take us back. This is what we really need to focus on.

Regardless, many MPs expect plenty of internal clashes during Wednesday’s standoff.

Speaking to reporters, Liberal MP Marcus Powlowski said he would be willing to offer snacks.

“I’m going to buy a big bag of popcorn and some soda and watch the show, like the rest of you.”

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