Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is facing a significant loss of support as indicated by recent polling data, with a staggering 72 percent of Canadians expressing a desire for his departure from federal politics. This dissatisfaction has grown rapidly, escalating from 60 percent just a few months ago in September. Even within his own Liberal Party, a third of supporters, accounting for 33 percent, advocate for Trudeau’s resignation. This erosion of support aligns with ongoing polls projecting the Conservative Party, led by Pierre Poilievre, to hold a substantial 19 percentage point lead over the Liberals, potentially paving the way for one of Canada’s more extensive majority governments in history.
Nik Nanos, the founder of Nanos Research, emphasized the necessity for the Liberals to undergo a profound transformation to stand a chance in the next federal election. This shift, according to Nanos, could manifest through a new leader or a revitalized vision from Trudeau that compellingly articulates the reasons for seeking another mandate. The mounting discontent has even spilled onto online platforms, with over 175,000 Canadians signing a petition for a vote of non-confidence in the House of Commons against the current minority Liberal government, echoing concerns about housing costs, civil liberties, inflation, immigration policies, and the nation’s economic vitality.
The petition, sponsored by MP Michelle Ferreri, highlights the discordance between the government’s policies and Canada’s ongoing crises, referencing issues such as housing costs, civil liberties, and economic concerns, contributing to the lack of confidence in Prime Minister Trudeau. Additionally, Senator Percy Downe, a Liberal figure with close ties to former Prime Minister Jean Chretien, has publicly stated that it’s time for Trudeau to step down, signifying a growing discontentment within the party ranks.
Despite these calls for resignation and disapproval from prominent figures, Trudeau has seemingly brushed off the appeals, suggesting skepticism about whether his departure would salvage the Liberals’ electoral prospects in the upcoming federal election. The comparison to his father, former Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau, who made a pivotal decision to exit politics in 1984, has been drawn. Pierre Trudeau’s departure from office, famously known as “a walk in the snow,” occurred when he resigned on February 29, a date that only appears on a leap year.
