Trudeau focused on governing, fighting right-wing populism after losing the by-election

OTTAWA — Prime Minister Justin Trudeau received calls from various members of his Liberal caucus following the party’s historic by-election loss in a Toronto riding last week, but the prime minister said he remains focused on governing.

Trudeau would not say whether or not he would hold a national caucus meeting to discuss the fallout, which continues to ripple through the party.

Some Liberal MPs have privately called for such a meeting, and others also want a cabinet reshuffle, two options on which Trudeau and his office remain quiet.

Trudeau was in Montreal on Wednesday to announce infrastructure funding for local community projects, his first press conference since the by-election. He was full of questions about the consequences and next steps.

He was asked three times by reporters whether or not he would hold an imminent meeting of the national group to draw up a plan for the future, but avoided answering directly.

“Last week’s by-election defeat, not to sugar coat it, was a challenge. It was something we had to take seriously and we were engaged in many important conversations,” he said.

“We’ve had a lot of calls with different caucus members across the country — not just (the Greater Toronto Area) — to talk about how we’re making sure that we continue our work connecting with Canadians, to make sure that” we continue to deliver for people.”

He said he met with caucus leaders on Tuesday and continues to talk with more lawmakers about how the party can improve.

The Liberals held the Toronto-St. Paul served for more than 30 years before he was swept by the Conservatives last week in a stunning loss that Conservatives say shows Canadians have had enough of Trudeau and want an election now.

But Trudeau has rejected calls for him to step down and is determined to stay and lead the Liberals into the next election. A staunch supporter of democracy and rules-based order around the world, he said he presents a positive view against the rise of right-wing populism. He said that included Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre.

He said he had direct and frank conversations with MPs mindful of the challenges facing the party following their loss. But the government’s priority remains providing services, implementing accessibility measures and making housing investments, he said.

Most of Trudeau’s cabinet ministers have backed the prime minister, saying he is the best leader to take on Poilievre in the next federal election, whom he portrays as a bogus career politician eager to introduce cuts to health care policies. children, education and climate change.

Trudeau is taking appropriate action and “is doing what he needs to do,” Energy Minister Jonathan Wilkinson said in Calgary on Wednesday.

“I’m very confident that he will reflect on what voters are telling us in this by-election context, but actually help us move forward in a thoughtful way, both as a party and as a country,” he said. said.

Trudeau said his focus is on governance.

“People are worried in Canada and around the world, and the government needs to step up to provide for the people,” Trudeau said Wednesday.

“Those are the things that really matter to Canadians. Those are the things we focus on as a team.”

Far-right politicians are gaining ground in the United States and France, two countries that Trudeau has pointed to as examples of the erosion of democratic principles and rights among the world’s democracies.

“This is a really important time for governments to step up and actually deliver to citizens, restore and encourage trust in the institutions that are there to deliver” things like more childcare spaces, access to dental care and more housing, Trudeau said, pointing to his party’s recent signature policies.

Several former cabinet ministers, including Jane Philpott, Wayne Easter and Catherine McKenna, said it was time for Trudeau to go.

But so far, most current Liberal MPs have spoken publicly in support of the Prime Minister, with some indicating that most sitting MPs are seeking re-election under the party’s banner.

“We are a solid team when it comes to the Liberal caucus. We work through our issues in caucus and come out united,” said Liberal MP Karina Gould in a recent interview with The Canadian Press.

“So there is not this overwhelming feeling that we hear from some outside voices. We are still determined to fight for Canadians and show that we have what it takes to be the governing party and do a good job with Canadians. .”

New Brunswick Liberal MP Wayne Long was the only member to publicly call for Trudeau to step down as leader, and he wrote an email to the caucus last week about it.

Long, who is not seeking re-election, did not respond to repeated requests for comment, but he told the Toronto Star he was surprised his other colleagues did not join his call for Trudeau to resign.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published on July 3, 2024.

— With files Maura Forrest in Montreal and Amanda Stephenson in Calgary.

Mickey Djuric, Canadian Press