A backbencher has become the first sitting member of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s Liberal caucus to call on him to resign following his shock by-election defeat.
In an email to party members obtained by The Canadian Press, Wayne Long said new leadership is needed “for the future of our party and the good of our country.”
“Voters have expressed their desire loud and clear, and they want change,” wrote Mr. Long, who represents the New Brunswick riding.
It comes after the Liberals suffered a disastrous result in Monday’s byelection, losing the Toronto seat they had held since 1993.
Mr Long, a member of Congress since 2015, has previously said he would not seek re-election.
According to the National Post, Newfoundland MP Ken MacDonald responded to all of Mr. Long’s emails and said: “Well said!”
In recent days, former Liberal politicians have also called on Trudeau to step down.
Among them is Catherine McKenna, who served as environment minister under Mr. Trudeau from 2015-19.
“The Liberal Party is not about one person. This is about the values it stands for and about improving the lives of Canadians,” Ms. McKenna said in a statement shared with the media.
“The Prime Minister has a proud legacy but now is the time for new ideas, new energy and new leaders.”
Former British Columbia Liberal Premier Christy Clark made a similar statement in an interview with the Toronto Star on Thursday.
Ms Clark said the Prime Minister “no longer has the sway with voters that he once did, but more importantly he is not even able to inspire some of the people in the country who are most likely to vote for his party”.
Canada’s next election must be held by October 20, 2025.
After Monday’s defeat, Trudeau, prime minister since 2015, vowed to remain leader of the Liberal Party.
“These are not easy times,” he said. “It’s clear that my entire team and I have more hard work to do to deliver tangible, real progress that Canadians can see and feel.”
The Prime Minister has not taken questions from reporters since the defeat.
The Conservatives won the Toronto St. Paul seat by just over 500 votes.
Trudeau’s approval ratings have plummeted due to a series of issues including cost of living pressures.
A recent Ipsos Global News poll showed that as many as 68 per cent of Canadians want Mr Trudeau to step down.
