‘I don’t think this is really going to go away until we can definitively send it away by having a caucus vote’
OTTAWA — A growing number of Liberal MPs publicly declared their support on Tuesday for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s leadership to be tested through a secret ballot vote, with one even suggesting he would be unlikely to survive.
Questions about the level of support Trudeau enjoys within his 152-member caucus continue to swirl nearly a week after he met behind closed-doors with Liberal MPs, two dozen of whom had signed a letter asking Trudeau step aside.
Sources speaking to the National Post on the condition they not be named said the letter that was read aloud to Trudeau did not contain the signatures of those who had signed it, but said upwards of around 30 who spoke expressed a desire to see the prime minister step aside. More came to the microphone, according to sources, some of whom called for the turmoil to end.
Ministers filing in to their weekly cabinet meeting Tuesday morning dismissed calls coming from some of their fellow MPs that caucus should vote on Trudeau’s leadership through a secret ballot — a mechanism that does not exist under current rules for either the caucus or party.
“The prime minister’s been very clear: he’s the leader. He’s going to lead us into the next election,” said Employment Minister Randy Boissonnault. “We’re moving on.”
National Revenue Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau said “the decision has been taken.”
“We’re united, we’re moving forward and that’s it,” she said.
Still, some backbench Liberals and parliamentary secretaries to ministers say they support the idea of a leadership vote, if for no other reason than trying to put the issue to rest.
“It ensures that the caucus’s opinion has been heard by the prime minister,” said Toronto MP Rob Oliphant, parliamentary secretary to Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly.
“He will then have the assurance he has the caucus support.”
Asked directly whether he believes Trudeau could survive such a vote if caucus was given the chance, Prince Edward Island’s Sean Casey offered a blunt “no.”
“It’s coming from my view the people that feel compelled to show strength aren’t being honest with the leader,” said Casey, who has publicly called on Trudeau to resign.
He lamented there was no formal way to force a caucus vote, saying he believes that holding one would bring “finality” to the swirling questions about Trudeau’s leadership.
“At least we could move past this media feeding frenzy and preoccupation with internal party matters at a time when there’s significant issues facing the country and an election coming up.”
Calgary MP George Chahal said he also believes a secret ballot would wise to “clear the air” and ensure party unity.
“If colleagues ask me to make it happen I will consider it,” says Chahal, “but I think it’s important that we be able to express our opinions and be unified.”
Brendan Hanley, the Liberal MP for the Yukon, said he also supports the idea.
“We’ve heard expressed that the vast majority of caucus is behind our leader. I think we really need to settle this once and for all.”
Hanley said he doesn’t believe cabinet ministers proclaiming the matter to be settled is reflective of what he’s heard from caucus colleagues.
“I don’t think this is really going to go away until we can definitively send it away by having a caucus vote.”
Hanley added that “the odds are not looking good” for the Liberals’ chances of winning a fourth term under Trudeau. The Liberals have been trailing Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre in the polls for more than a year and lost two safe seats in byelections in Montreal and Toronto.
“What we really need is … a new vision to present to Canadians and I’ll be very interested in seeing what that vision looks like tomorrow.”
Trudeau is set to meet with his caucus on Wednesday. Andrew Bevan, the Liberals’ newly appointed campaign director, was set to give a presentation to caucus during last week’s meeting, but so many MPs spoke at the microphone they ran out of time.
Montreal MP Sameer Zuberi, who serves as parliamentary secretary to the diversity minister, has also expressed support for a caucus vote.
Other representatives say they reject calls for a caucus vote because there are already processes in place when it comes to deciding party leadership.
“(The) leader of the party is chosen by the members of the party and 24 members of caucus don’t get to decide what happens to the party,” said Vancouver MP Taleeb Noormohamed, parliamentary secretary for Canadian Heritage Minister Pascale St-Onge.
Others, like Treasury Board President Anita Anand, seemed more open to having a discussion in caucus on the way forward.
Anand said the conversations she’s had over the weekend reflect the need for Liberals to remain united and to fight the election against Poilievre and the Conservatives, adding “that’s what I’m focused on.”
Health Minister Mark Holland said every MP is entitled to their own opinion, but the prime minister has his total support.
“The fact that a handful of members want something — there’s lots of things I want in life I don’t get.”
“They don’t get to dictate to the rest of caucus, nor to the party,” said Holland.
— With files from Catherine Lévesque
National Post
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