23.93°C Vancouver

Sep 9, 2024 1:27 PM - The Canadian Press

Justin Trudeau may be in for an earful as he meets with caucus in B.C.

Share On
justin-trudeau-may-be-in-for-an-earful-as-he-meets-with-caucus-in-b-c
Trudeau held fast to his decision to lead the party into the next election and rejected calls to convene his caucus over the summer to respond to their concerns about their collective prospects. (Photo: The Canadian Press)

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau may be bracing for an earful from his caucus when Liberal MPs gather in Nanaimo, B.C. today to plot their strategy for the coming election year.

It will be the first time he faces them as a group since MPs departed Ottawa in the spring.

Still stinging from a devastating byelection loss earlier this summer, the caucus is now also reeling from news that their national campaign director has resigned and the party can no longer count on the NDP to stave off an early election.

"They should be giving the prime minister a rough ride," said strategist Ginny Roth, who served as director of communications for Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre's leadership campaign.

She's skeptical they will, though.

"This is a caucus meeting that some of the caucus members demanded happen earlier this summer ... and he basically told them to pound sand, and he's only getting around to it now, and they have just accepted that," she said.

The governing Liberals found themselves in political freefall last summer and despite efforts to refocus on key issues like housing and affordability, the polls have not moved back in their favour.

Simmering calls for a new leader reached a new intensity earlier this summer when the Conservatives won over a longtime Liberal stronghold in a major byelection upset in Toronto St. Paul's.

Trudeau held fast to his decision to lead the party into the next election and rejected calls to convene his caucus over the summer to respond to their concerns about their collective prospects.

The prime minister has spoken with Liberal MPs one-on-one over the last few months and attended several regional meetings ahead of the Nanaimo retreat.

While several Liberals who don't feel comfortable speaking publicly say the meetings were positive, the prime minister has mainly held to his message that he is simply focused on "delivering for Canadians."

Some hope to hear more about how he plans to win those Canadians back when he addresses his team this week.

Former Bank of Canada governor Mark Carney is also expected to address the group. Long touted as a possible leadership successor to Trudeau, Carney will instead act as advisor to caucus on the economy and growth.

The three-day retreat is expected to include breakout meetings for the Indigenous, rural and women's caucuses.

Latest news

ndp-releases-official-rules-for-leadership-race-to-replace-singh
CanadaJul 25, 2025

NDP releases official rules for leadership race to replace Singh

The NDP has released the official rules for its leadership race, which include requirements that candidates gather specific numbers of signatures from supporters in diverse regional, racial and LGBTQ+ groups. At least 10 per cent of a candidate's signatures must come from young New Democrats aged 25 years or under. Candidates must also collect at least 50 signatures from each of five different regions in Canada — the Atlantic, Quebec, Ontario, the Prairies, and B.C. and the North. A new permanent leader to replace Jagmeet Singh will be chosen through a ranked ballot vote, allowing party memb
BCJul 25, 2025

Dogs, crews and helicopters being deployed to find missing B.C. hiker in Banff park

The search continues for a B.C. paramedic who has been missing since Wednesday while on a hike and was last seen in Banff National Park. Chad Singer, 42, of Radium, B.C., started his hike near the Aurora Creek trail, east of Radium Hot Springs. RCMP say he was last seen that afternoon in Marvel Pass in the national park. Police say the trail system can connect to trails near Marvel Lake and the trail network between Sunshine Mountain, Banff and Mount Shark in Kananaskis. RCMP spokeswoman Cpl. Gina Slaney says the Parks Canada Banff Field Unit is managing the search, which incl
seatbelt-safety-on-display-as-allegedly-impaired-williams-lake-man-crashes-on-police-video
BCJul 25, 2025

Seatbelt safety on display as allegedly impaired Williams Lake man crashes on police video

Two seatbelt tickets, a driving prohibition, and a bleeding scalp requiring stitches were the results of a strange crash in Williams Lake that could have been much worse. On July 20, 2025, at 3:00 p.m., a BC Highway Patrol officer on Mackenzie Avenue South saw both the driver of a white Ford F250 and the driver of a grey Toyota Camry without seatbelts. When the officer turned around to pull them over, the driver of the Toyota Camry collided into the rear of the Ford F250. The BC Highway Patrol officer started by checking the driver of the Toyota Camry. His head was bleeding liberally after sma
BCJul 25, 2025

Coquitlam RCMP searching for wanted male Christopher Ryan Becker

Coquitlam RCMP is asking for the public’s assistance in locating 33-year-old Christopher Ryan Becker who is unlawfully at large from a designated facility and wanted on a Form 49 Warrant of Committal. Becker was last seen on July 24, 2025, at approximately 5:30 p.m. in Coquitlam, British Columbia. Becker can be described as: • 33 years old; • 6’/183 cm in height; • Approximately 295 lbs/134 kg; • Brown eyes; • Stocky build; • Medium-length brown hair. Becker was last seen wearing a black sweater, blue shorts and orange sandals. Police are asking anyone who sees, may have
mark-carney-expresses-displeasure-over-israels-move-to-restrict-humanitarian-aid-in-gaza
WorldJul 25, 2025

Mark Carney expresses displeasure over Israel's move to restrict humanitarian aid in Gaza

Prime Minister Mark Carney has expressed displeasure over Israel's move to restrict humanitarian aid in Gaza, calling it a violation of international law. PM Carney stressed the need to shift Israel's control over food distribution amid reports of widespread starvation in the Palestinian territories. He said this work should be in the hands of international organizations. The Prime Minister said that Canada has also provided aid to many of these international organizations for relief supplies in Gaza, but Israel has prevented them from reaching Gaza. Carney also reiterated that Canada sup

Related News