London Liberal MPs stand with party and plan to run in next election

London, Ont.'s Liberal MPs say they have no concerns for the future viability of their party even after the deputy prime minister's sudden resignation this week and calls from within the party for the prime minister to step down. 

Both London North MP Peter Fragiskatos and London West MP Arielle Kayabaga said Friday at a funding announcement in the city that they plan to seek re-election. 

They spoke just ahead of a cabinet shuffle in Ottawa that saw Justin Trudeau appoint eight new MPs to cabinet and change the role of four others to ensure the functioning of government. NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh said Friday he plans to bring forward a non-confidence motion to bring down government when the House of Commons resumes sitting in the new year. 

"We're obviously going through a very difficult moment right now. I'm not going to sugarcoat it. But I have no concerns about the future viability of the Liberal Party of Canada at all," Fragiskatos said. 

"It has proven its ability to be resilient and to find ways to continue to overcome challenges." 

Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland, once the prime minister's most trusted lieutenant, announced her sudden resignation on Monday. After that, Trudeau faced increasing calls to resign, with more than a dozen Liberal MPs speaking publicly about his leadership.

Freeland said she plans to run again in the Toronto riding of University-Rosedale.  

"I think Mrs. Freeland made the decision that is right for her, and her family and her future as well," said Kayabaga. "We're very excited that she gets to stay along the Liberal Party. She's a Liberal and will be fighting with us in the next election." 

Freeland's resignation came just hours before she was set to deliver the government's fall economic statement. In her letter, she said Canada "faces a grave challenge" and referenced U.S. president-elect Donald Trump's threat to impose a 25 per cent tariff on all Canadian goods. 

At Friday's housing announcement in London, a heckler yelled out "Trudeau must resign" before being escorted from the premises. 

"I think that the prime minister will make his decision on when he steps down," said Kayabaga. "I trust he is wise enough to know all the pieces that go into that and to make the right decision. He hasn't done that. As far as I stand, we are still running with Mr. Trudeau until he decides otherwise, and I haven't heard otherwise." 

On Monday, Liberal sources told CBC News that Trudeau said he heard MPs' concerns and would take time to reflect on his future. 

"I'm giving him space to do that," said Fragiskatos. "He said he wanted to take the feedback that he's heard from Liberal members of Parliament and think of his future. I'm glad that he's doing so."