JUNE 28: Catherine McKenna, a former prominent Liberal cabinet minister, has called for the Liberal Party to seek new leadership following a surprising byelection loss in Toronto-St. Paul’s. McKenna, who served under Prime Minister Justin Trudeau from 2015 to 2021, emphasized that the party needs fresh ideas and energy to address crucial issues such as the economy and climate change.
McKenna praised Trudeau’s legacy but stressed the importance of evolving leadership to better represent the party’s values and improve the lives of Canadians. She is the first former Trudeau cabinet member to advocate for a leadership change after the party’s recent electoral setback.
The byelection loss in Toronto-St. Paul’s, a riding held by the Liberals since 1993, has intensified discussions within the party regarding Trudeau’s leadership. Despite trailing the Conservatives in polls over the past year and a half, the defeat has sparked renewed debate about the direction of the government. Trudeau, however, has repeatedly stated his intention to lead the party into the next election.
McKenna, who was the Minister of Environment and Climate Change from 2015 to 2019, played a key role in negotiating Canada’s national climate framework, including the implementation of a national carbon pricing policy. After the 2019 election, she served as the Minister of Infrastructure and Communities until her departure from federal politics in 2021. She now chairs a UN expert panel on net-zero commitments from businesses and financial institutions.
The recent byelection loss has prompted some Liberal MPs to question Trudeau’s leadership and the effectiveness of his political team. While some members of the caucus have expressed their concerns privately, others, like Liberal MP Sophie Chatel, have publicly deferred discussions about leadership changes to internal party debates, emphasizing the importance of Trudeau’s personal decision.
The ongoing discussions highlight the challenges facing the Liberal Party as it navigates its future strategy and leadership amid changing political dynamics.
Quameer Halliday
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