Liberal backbencher calls on Justin Trudeau to resign as Liberal leader
P.E.I. MP Sean Casey says voters in his riding have 'tuned Justin Trudeau out'
A Liberal backbencher is publicly calling on Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to step down as party leader as other MPs co-ordinate their efforts to force him out.
Sean Casey, the MP for Charlottetown, told CBC News Network's Power & Politics that Trudeau's leadership has become one of the main topics of conversation when he speaks to voters in his riding.
"The message that I've been getting loud and clear — and more and more strongly as time goes by — is that it is time for [Trudeau] to go. And I agree," he told host David Cochrane in an exclusive interview Tuesday.
"People have had enough. They've tuned him out and they want him to go."
Casey is the first MP to call publicly for Trudeau's resignation since it was reported last week that a growing number of anxious Liberals are working to force the prime minister to step down as Liberal leader.
Disgruntled Liberal MPs held a series of meetings to discuss a path forward for the party following the surprising Toronto-St. Paul's byelection loss in June, multiple sources have told CBC News.
Casey said he was aware of such meetings taking place but hasn't attended any of them. He added that he anticipates efforts to oust Trudeau could come to a head when MPs return to Ottawa next week.
Some MPs are being asked to sign their names to what amounts to a pledge to stand together in calling for Trudeau to resign. All the sources spoke to CBC News on the condition they not be named due to the sensitivity of the internal discussions.
These sources said at least 20 MPs have signed the pledge so far, with others voicing their support for the cause.
Casey said he hasn't seen such a document himself and has only heard about it "second hand." He did say there is a "high level of anxiety" in the Liberal caucus over Trudeau's leadership.
"I would say it's wider than meets the eye. There are a lot of people who have concerns," he said.
"But those who have come to the same conclusion as me seem to be becoming more emboldened with the passage of time."
Casey isn't the first Liberal MP to call for Trudeau to resign in recent months. New Brunswick MP Wayne Long sent an email to the Liberal caucus in June calling on the prime minister to step aside.
Newfoundland and Labrador MP Ken McDonald also has called for Trudeau to face a leadership review.
Casey says he still plans to run
But Casey said that he — unlike Long and McDonald — plans to run in the next federal election even if Trudeau remains the leader. He cited his opposition to Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre as a motivating factor.
"I have an obligation to the people of Charlottetown to keep Pierre Poilievre out of the prime minister's chair in any way shape or form," he said.
"I'm gearing for the fight. It's a fight worth fighting regardless of whether or not we have Justin Trudeau leading the party."
Casey said he told Trudeau directly during a private phone call in July that he thinks the party needs new leadership.
"The things he's put in place over the past nine years have been truly transformational. But the electorate are no longer listening to him," Casey said he told Trudeau.
Former Trudeau cabinet minister Catherine McKenna also said this past summer that she thinks the party needs a new leader.
The CBC's Poll Tracker suggests the Liberals are trailing the Conservatives by roughly 20 percentage points.
Casey said he thinks a change in leadership could at least reignite interest in the Liberal Party.
"If Justin Trudeau was to leave, there would be risk. If there was a divisive leadership, there would be risk," he said.
"But the upside of having a new leader is significantly higher than if he stays."
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