Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland has affirmed that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has her “full support” as leader of the Liberal Party going into the next election.
“He has my full support, and I am pretty sure you will find my colleagues here feel the same way,” Ms. Freeland said to reporters at a press conference in Ottawa on Jan. 29.
She was accompanied by Housing Minister Sean Fraser, Industry Minister François-Philippe Champagne, Treasury Board President Anita Anand, and Immigration Minister Marc Miller.
“We have a leader,” Ms. Freeland added.
A reporter, mentioning that some ministers present in the group had been floated as possible candidates for a new leadership role in the Liberal Party, had said she was curious to know if any were still thinking about running for the position. She then asked the group if they believed Mr. Trudeau is the right person to guide the party in the forthcoming election.
“The intent of my recent public comments was not to personally call for a leadership review, and I am not calling for one now,” he stated in written communication to The Epoch Times on Jan. 25.
Speaking to CBC Radio-Canada on Jan. 24, Mr. McDonald said the party needs to “clear the air” and “give people the opportunity to have their say in what they think [of] the direction the party is going.” The Newfoundland MP noted that although he credits his 2015 electoral success largely to Mr. Trudeau’s rise to prime minister, he is now questioning whether his leader is negatively impacting the party.
At the Jan. 29 press conference, the other four ministers present were also asked to comment.
“You don’t even need to add more to that. That’s the perfect answer,” said Mr. Champagne referring to Ms. Freeland’s remarks.
Mr. Miller was asked explicitly if he would like to run for leadership of the Liberal Party.
“Not a chance in hell,” he responded.
Mr. Fraser and Ms. Anand did not comment.
The issue arose again in a fiery exchange between Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre and Mr. Trudeau during question period in the House of Commons Jan. 29.
“Mr. Poilievre likes to talk about the challenges Canadians are facing on the cost of living, but he refuses to take action and support them,” said Mr. Trudeau.
“He chose to delay the passage of Bill C-59, which is also hurting his own caucus … While the Conservative leader is muscling his own caucus and putting himself first, we'll keep winning.”
“[Mr. Trudeau] had to muzzle a member from Newfoundland calling for an end to his leadership, joining another senator, who did the same because they understand that their constituents are literally starving and unable to heat their homes,” Mr. Poilievre responded.
“Why wouldn’t [Mr. Trudeau] listen to, instead of intimidating, his member for Newfoundland, and put his leadership up to review?”
