Drive to Dump Trudeau Has Momentum, Liberal Lawmaker Says
An influential Liberal lawmaker threw his weight behind a growing movement to oust Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, saying he believes it has significant momentum.
David McGuinty, a longtime member of Parliament and a former minister, made the comments in an interview with The Globe and Mail on Tuesday.
“There’s definitely a sense in the caucus that change is needed,” McGuinty said. “I think a lot of people feel that the government has been in power for too long, and that there’s a need for a fresh start.”
McGuinty’s comments come as MPs and party insiders have been telling The Globe and Mail that at least 12 Liberal rabbis have been secretly meeting to discuss the possibility of ousting Trudeau. The group, which has yet to publicly declare its intentions, is said to include some powerful backbenchers who have grown disillusioned with the Prime Minister.
The meetings are said to be taking place in a secret location in downtown Ottawa, and participants have been asked to keep the discussions confidential.
Roger Smith, a former MP and close ally of the Prime Minister, said he didn’t know of any secret meetings but warned that there are growing concerns about Trudeau’s leadership.
“There are definitely some concerns about his leadership style, and I think that’s where some of these (MPs) are coming from,” he said.
Liberal insiders have told The Globe and Mail that the growing dissent has left Trudeau’s office on high alert, with some MPs and staff concerned about the potential for a leadership challenge.