New leadership

DAN CEARNS The Standard

While he’s had a lot of successes in elections in the past, I think now is the time for Justin Trudeau to call it a career, as Liberal Party leader.

While I normally don’t put much stock in pre-election polling, the polls from major organizations have been consistent, over the past year. They indicate the Liberals are losing support heavily and it's looking like another party could claim a majority government. If those polls aren’t enough of a sign, maybe take the fact, the Liberals have lost two seats in by-elections, in Ontario and Quebec. These two ridings had previously been staunchly Liberal territory and signal what the polls have been saying.

Since then, there have been reports of people, within the Liberal Party, looking for the Prime Minister to step down, to allow a new leader to carry the party forward into the next election.

Reportedly, 24 Liberal MPs signed a letter, asking for Trudeau to step away from the job. In addition, former Conservative Party leader and former Durham MP, Erin O’Toole told CTV News, Trudeau should move on, as he has become a “distraction for the national debate for his own caucus.” It makes sense. Due to the low polling numbers and the party seemingly split on his leadership, Trudeau is now the focus, instead of the issues the country faces or what the party wants to set up for debate in the next election.

It's been clear, south of the border, how much a leadership change can impact an election. After replacing Joe Biden with Kamala Harris, the Democratic Party seems to have new life and new energy in their election. It is now a lot closer, poll wise, than it was with Biden at the helm. Could a Chrystia Freeland, Mark Carney or Sean Fraser give the party a new look or identity? I think it’s certainly possible.

Trudeau is already seventh all time in prime ministers of Canada by time in office as well, so he’s had a good runway to impact the country the way he wanted.

Trudeau has led the party, and country, since 2015. For the good of everyone involved, it’s time he gave someone else a chance to put their own stamp on the Liberal Party.