Liberal Party's national campaign director says he's stepping down

With an election expected within the coming year, the Liberals' national campaign director is stepping down.

Jeremy Broadhurst, who was set to oversee the Liberal Party's next election campaign, cited the pressures imposed by the job on himself and his family as the reason for his decision.

"Given the stakes involved, the prime minister, the Liberal Party of Canada and all its candidates deserve someone who can bring more energy and devotion to the job than I can at this stage of my life," he said in a statement to CBC News. The Toronto Star first reported the news, citing Liberal sources.

Broadhurst, who was national director of the Liberal Party from 2013 to 2015, also served as campaign director in 2019. He later served as a senior adviser to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau before leaving that role last year to prepare the party for its next election campaign.

When asked Thursday about Broadhurst's decision to step down, Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly thanked him for his work but suggested his departure is an opportunity for a fresh start.

"We know that this is also an opportunity to make sure we have new ideas, new people, a new approach," she said during a press conference.

In his statement, Broadhurst left the door open to working for the party in a reduced capacity.

"This does not represent the end of my involvement and support of them and the party.  But it is time to make way for others and to find new ways to help," he said.

Broadhurst's announcement comes a day after the NDP backed out of a governance deal with the Liberals, increasing the possibility of a election call before the scheduled date of October 2025.

NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh was asked multiple times on Thursday when he could be expected go against the Liberals in a non-confidence vote, but declined to provide a specific timeline.

"I will look at any vote that comes before us and we will make a decision in the best interest of Canadians, as any minority government normally operates," he said.

Broadhurst's decision also comes with voters set to go to the polls in two federal byelections in just over a week.

While the Liberals aren't considered contenders in the Winnipeg area riding of Elmwood-Transcona, the party is looking to hold onto a seat in LaSalle–Émard–Verdun.

The Montreal seat was vacated by former justice minister David Lametti, who held the riding since 2015. Former prime minister Paul Martin held the LaSalle–Émard seat, which preceded the current riding, from 1988 to 2011.

The NDP held the seat from 2011 to 2015 and the Liberals' declining political fortunes could put the riding up for grabs this time around. Some polling has suggested it's a three-way race between the Liberals, NDP and Bloc Québécois.

The Liberals are also coming off a recent byelection loss in Toronto-St. Paul's, a riding considered a safe Liberal seat until the Conservatives flipped it in June.