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㽶ƵֱNot how we do things㽶Ƶֱ: Freeland rejects secret Liberal leadership ballot

Prime minister rejected letter signed by 24 members of the caucus asking him to step down
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Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Chrystia Freeland responds to a question during a news conference, in Ottawa, Tuesday, Oct. 29, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland has rejected the idea of the Liberal caucus holding a secret ballot vote on Justin Trudeau㽶Ƶֱs leadership, saying it㽶Ƶֱs 㽶Ƶֱjust not how Liberals govern themselves.㽶Ƶֱ

Last week, 24 members of the caucus signed on to a letter calling on the prime minister to step down, but the next day Trudeau said firmly that he will lead his party into the next election.

Some of the dissenters are now calling for Liberal MPs to vote in a secret ballot on whether Trudeau should remain leader.

Freeland said leaders are not chosen by secret ballot in the Liberal party.

㽶ƵֱOur party and our caucus have had many opportunities to decide our own rules for choosing a leader,㽶Ƶֱ she said at her weekly press conference on Tuesday.

㽶ƵֱOur party decided on that, and our caucus decided on that. And in our rules, the leader is not chosen by secret ballot of caucus members.㽶Ƶֱ

After each election, parties have the opportunity to decide if they will avail themselves of measures contained in the Reform Act, which allows MPs to force a leadership review.

The Conservatives were the only party to opt in after the last election, and those measures were used to oust former leader Erin O㽶ƵֱToole from his role in 2022.

The Liberals did not, leaving them no mechanism to depose Trudeau even if a majority of MPs wanted him to go.

㽶ƵֱI wish there was a mechanism for it, because I think there㽶Ƶֱs an awful lot of people who aren㽶Ƶֱt saying what they㽶Ƶֱre hearing from their constituents, but are motivated by something else,㽶Ƶֱ said Sean Casey, one of the few Liberal MPs who has publicly admitted to signing the letter.

㽶ƵֱI think a secret ballot would allow for those people to be responsible to their constituents. It would also bring finality.㽶Ƶֱ

Trudeau㽶Ƶֱs leadership has come into question as the Liberals continue to trail the Conservatives in public opinion polls.

The Liberal caucus is set to meet again on Wednesday for the first time since last week㽶Ƶֱs three-hour meeting, when several MPs told the prime minister they feel he should step aside for the good of the party.

If they were allowed a secret ballot vote, it would put the issue of Trudeau㽶Ƶֱs leadership to rest no matter which way the vote went, Casey said.

㽶ƵֱAt least we could move past this media feeding frenzy and preoccupation with internal party matters at a time when there㽶Ƶֱs significant issues facing the country and an election coming up,㽶Ƶֱ he said.

Several cabinet ministers expressed their support for the prime minister on Tuesday, and urged other elected Liberals to voice their concerns in the privacy of caucus meetings.

㽶ƵֱIf you want to express yourself in the Liberal caucus, you stand up and you talk,㽶Ƶֱ said Employment Minister Randy Boissonnault.





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