The Liberal cabinet is doubling down on its support for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau as he faces scrutiny over his leadership amid a growing internal revolt in the party seeking to force him to resign.
Up to 30 Liberal MPs have signed an internal document calling on Trudeau to step aside, which is expected to be raised at the group’s next meeting on Wednesday.
Several ministers formed a united front ahead of a cabinet meeting Tuesday and said they support Trudeau in leading the Liberal Party and the country.
“It’s a big tent and people have a right to their opinion… and mine is that I unequivocally support this prime minister,” said Marci Ien, Minister of Women, Gender Equality and Youth.
“He says he’s staying, he says he’s not going anywhere. But again, I’ll leave that to him. What I will tell you is that you have my support.”
Health Minister Mark Holland said that “these are not easy times to lead,” but that he and most of his colleagues have “full confidence” in Trudeau.
“These are difficult times and they require careful deliberation every day, an enormous amount of hard work and taking on all the stress in the world and trying to hold on to people and that is not easy and I think the Prime Minister is doing it well.” Holland said. he told reporters in Ottawa.
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“I think he’s someone who guided us through incredibly difficult times. He takes hits like no one I’ve ever seen.”
Heritage Minister Pascale St-Onge also expressed support for Trudeau, saying she and the entire cabinet are “100 per cent behind the prime minister.”
“I know he is still the leader of the Liberal Party,” St-Onge said.
“I think it’s time for the caucus and all of us to really think about Canadians and use our efforts to make sure we address the affordability crisis and the concerns of Canadians during this time. It is also a good time to prepare for the upcoming elections.”
Pressure on Trudeau’s Liberals has been building since the summer, when two major election defeats occurred in addition to the NDP withdrawing its support for the supply and confidence agreement last month.
Meanwhile, support for Trudeau and his Liberal government has hit a “new low,” an Ipsos poll exclusive to Global News shows.
Immigration Minister Marc Miller said the scrutiny around Trudeau’s leadership is “garbage” and prevents him from focusing on defeating the Conservatives in the next election.
“The decision is up to Canadians. We have to prove it to Canadians and any minute spent on this garbage is a minute not spent on Pierre Poilievre and what he wants to do in this country. And I think that is very dangerous.”
Last week, four more cabinet ministers told Trudeau they will not run for re-election, adding to a growing cabinet exodus and other resignations of MPs this year.
The resigning ministers and the rest of the cabinet have remained united in expressing their support for Trudeau continuing as leader.
Sean Casey, one of dozens of Liberal MPs who signed an internal document calling on Trudeau to resign, told reporters on Monday that he believes it is in the nation’s best interest for the prime minister to resign to avoid a Conservative government led by Poilievre.
When asked about Casey’s comments, Natural Resources Minister Jonathan Wilkinson said the majority of the party disagrees with them, but it’s important to have that conversation.
“I don’t think it’s a perspective shared by the vast majority of the caucus, but it’s an important thing we need to talk about and I’m sure we will do it tomorrow.”
Wilkinson also admitted that the party is lagging in the polls and that “there is concern” among members of the Liberal caucus.
“We will have a solid debate. In my opinion, we will give our support to the prime minister and go ahead with the elections.”
Former British Columbia Premier Christy Clark said Monday she wants to be “part of the conversation” about the Liberals’ future if Trudeau were to resign.
– with files from Sean Boynton and Jillian Piper of Global News
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