Some Liberals Want Trudeau to Step Down Before Next Election

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is facing a challenge from within his own Liberal Party. A group of Liberal lawmakers have asked him not to run for a fourth term. This comes after the party suffered losses in recent by-elections in Toronto and Montreal. Trudeau, who has previously stated his intention to run again, met with Liberal MPs for three hours. There are rumors of a letter signed by over 20 lawmakers asking Trudeau to step down. Some members are worried about the party's poor polling numbers. Trudeau didn't take questions from reporters after the meeting. If he runs again, he could face an uphill battle. No Canadian prime minister has won four straight terms in over a century. Trudeau's Cabinet ministers have publicly supported him, but not all MPs are on board. Yvan Baker, an Ontario Liberal lawmaker, said it's Trudeau's decision whether he stays on as leader. Charles Sousa, a Liberal MP from Toronto, said Trudeau is reflecting on the situation.

The Liberals need the support of at least one major party in Parliament to stay in power. The opposition Bloc Québécois has suggested they could work with other parties to force an election if the Liberals don't boost pensions for seniors. Trudeau came into power in 2015, following nearly a decade of Conservative rule. He has since faced criticism over the cost of living and other issues. In the latest Nanos poll, the Liberals trail the Conservatives by 13 percentage points. Politics professor Daniel Béland said the Liberals' electoral prospects look bleak with Trudeau at the helm unless something dramatic changes. Trudeau's legacy includes policies on immigration, cannabis legalization, and a carbon tax to fight climate change.

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