Canada’s Trudeau survives revolt from within Liberal Party

By Barry Ellsworth

TRENTON, Canada (AA) - Prime Minister Justin Trudeau beat back a revolt Wednesday to oust him as leader of the ruling Liberal Party, but he now faces an ultimatum.

Following a closed-door session with his MPs, Trudeau emerged and brushed by a gaggle of reporters, saying only that “the Liberal Party is strong and united.”

The revolt comes after he has led the Liberals as prime minister for nine years and through three elections. But Trudeau’s popularity has plummeted, according to a series of polls in the last few months.

The opposition Conservative Party has a 19-point lead against the Liberals and many of the 153 Liberal lawmakers could go down in defeat in the next election, which must take place on or before Oct. 20, 2025.

In other words, the polls say the Liberals will lose and lose badly, hence the move to get Trudeau out as party leader before an election debacle.

About 24 Liberal MPs signed a document urging Trudeau to quit. The document was read out during the Wednesday session, the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation reported.

The document gave Trudeau an Oct. 28 deadline to reconsider his decision to stay on as Liberal leader or face unspecified consequences.

Immigration Minister Marc Miller, who was in the meeting, told reporters that there have been “simmering” tensions among members and that some disaffected ones “were brave and stood up and said things to (Trudeau’s face.”

Miller, however, said Trudeau behaved as a leader facing criticism should and he expected the prime minister to carry on.

“This isn’t a code red situation,” he told reporters. “The prime minister can sure as hell handle the truth.”