Trudeau Says He’s ‘Committed to Doing the Work’ in First Interview Following Byelection Loss

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau arrives to talk to reporters at the Ukraine peace summit media centre at the Burgenstock Resort in Obburgen, Switzerland, on June 16, 2024. The Canadian Press/Sean Kilpatrick

In his first media interview after losing the Toronto-St. Paul’s stronghold, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau addressed questions surrounding his leadership of the Liberal Party.

“There’s always going to be lots of reflection after a tough loss,” Mr. Trudeau told CBC News while in Newfoundland on July 1.

“But there’s also so much to do and I am committed to doing the work of building a better Canada every single day.”

CBC had asked the prime minister to comment on calls from within his caucus and from former cabinet colleagues to step down.

Speculation has been rife about what Mr. Trudeau’s next steps are since his party lost the Toronto-St. Paul’s riding to the Conservatives in the June 24 byelection.

The fall of St. Paul’s, a riding the Liberals held since 1993, is sending a signal that not many seats are safe for the ruling party.

The prime minister’s interview with CBC News was the first time he answered questions from the media since the byelection loss.

Mr. Trudeau did have a press conference on June 25 to make a nature conservation announcement in B.C. While he made a statement on the St. Paul’s defeat, he didn’t take any questions.

His message at that time was similar to that of July 1. “These are not easy times and it’s clear that I and my entire Liberal team have much more work to do to deliver tangible, real progress that Canadians across the country can see and feel,” he said.

The prime minister told the public broadcaster on July 1 he’s looking forward to “many more Canada Days.”

“There are tough days and there are better days, but Canadians are strong and resilient and that’s why we keep moving forward,” he said.

Mr. Trudeau is usually in Ottawa for the national day, but this year he attended the burial of an unknown Newfoundland World War I soldier in St. John’s, which also marked the centenary of the Newfoundland National War Memorial.

Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland attended the Canada Day celebrations in Ottawa, the first time she attended a Canada Day event in an official capacity since taking the role in 2019, according to her public itineraries.

Ms. Freeland is among the cabinet members who have publicly stated Mr. Trudeau should lead the Liberals in the next election, scheduled for October 2025.

“The prime minister is committed to leading us into the next election, and he has our support,” Ms. Freeland said on June 25.

There has been no public push to oust the prime minister from members of the Liberal caucus.

Liberal MP Chandra Arya said on social media he’s not a member of Mr. Trudeau’s “Super Fans Club,” accusing him of having “taken party and the government too far left,” but he still said he looks “forward to fighting the next election under his leadership.”

Meanwhile, internally, Liberal MP Wayne Long has circulated a letter within caucus arguing the need for new leadership. Mr. Long, a New Brunswick MP, announced last year he would not be seeking re-election.

The next byelection that will test the Liberals will take place in September in the Montreal riding of LaSalle-Émard-Verdun, previously held by former justice minister David Lametti since 2015.

This time, the Liberals will face stiffer competition from the Bloc Québécois and the NDP. Both parties have held the previous ridings that were partially combined to create LaSalle-Émard-Verdun.

The Canadian Press contributed to this report.