Immigration Minister Marc Miller dismissed efforts by some Liberal MPs to push Prime Minister Justin Trudeau out of leadership as “garbage,” urging his colleagues to focus their energy on combating their primary political rival, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre.
“Any minute spent on this garbage is a minute that’s not spent on Pierre Poilievre and what he wants to do to this country, and I think that is very dangerous,” Miller said on Tuesday, speaking to reporters ahead of a cabinet meeting. Miller, a close ally of Trudeau, encouraged the discontented MPs to be transparent and address their grievances directly with the prime minister. “I think they have to express themselves to his face,” he stated, adding that the vast majority of the caucus and the entire cabinet continue to support Trudeau.
The remarks came as several Liberal MPs reportedly prepare to confront Trudeau at Wednesday’s national caucus meeting, motivated by mounting concerns over his declining popularity. Polls suggest the Liberals are trailing the Conservatives by 19 points, threatening to unseat many MPs if the trend continues into the next election.
More than 20 MPs have reportedly signed a letter expressing their desire for leadership change. One signatory, Newfoundland MP Ken McDonald, insisted the letter was not a “threat” but rather an honest expression of the need for new direction. He said he plans to share his views directly with Trudeau at the caucus meeting, believing that feedback could help the prime minister make an informed decision.
“By speaking out and letting him know what some of us are feeling, I think it could help him make his decision,” McDonald said. However, he affirmed that if Trudeau remains in his position, he would continue to serve as part of the Liberal caucus.
Two other MPs, Sean Casey from Prince Edward Island and Wayne Long from New Brunswick, have also confirmed signing the letter. Both emphasized that they are not considering leaving the party if Trudeau remains as leader.
Beyond internal dissent, the Liberal Party has also been grappling with a series of setbacks, including losing two by-elections in traditionally safe ridings and witnessing a poor performance in a recent Winnipeg-area by-election. The departure of their national campaign director in early September further fueled concerns within the party. In addition, several cabinet ministers are reportedly planning not to run in the next election.
Despite the growing pressure, Housing Minister Sean Fraser expressed confidence in Trudeau’s leadership, echoing Miller’s criticisms of Poilievre. “We are up against somebody who is campaigning on promises to deny access to free birth control for women,” Fraser said, referencing Poilievre’s decision to forgo obtaining the necessary security clearance to review top-secret documents related to foreign interference.
Natural Resources Minister Jonathan Wilkinson was similarly optimistic, predicting that the internal discontent would subside following a robust debate within the party. “At the end of the day, we will have a robust debate, we will come out with, in my view, support for the prime minister and move forward with the election,” Wilkinson said.
Wilkinson also took a jab at the Conservatives, contrasting the Liberals’ internal debates with what he characterized as Poilievre’s rigid sloganeering. “We are not a bunch of robots like Mr. Poilievre’s ‘axe-the-tax, build-homes, ride-the-donkeys’ that you see in question period,” he quipped.
Despite the challenges, Health Minister Mark Holland reiterated his support for Trudeau, acknowledging the difficulties of leading in today’s political climate. “These are not easy times to lead,” Holland remarked. “I don’t know anybody who’s having an easy time anywhere leading, but the prime minister has my full confidence and the full confidence of most of my colleagues.”
With tensions running high within the party, Wednesday’s caucus meeting is expected to be a critical moment for Trudeau’s leadership and the Liberal Party’s future direction.