Two New Brunswick Liberal MPs and cabinet ministers are standing by their leader after the Toronto byelection loss.
That is despite calls from one of their colleagues for Justin Trudeau to resign as party leader.
Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc said he still has full confidence in the prime minister.
“It’s a moment for us as a government to consider why those results were what they were and what we need to do to reassure Canadians that we’re focused on their priorities,” LeBlanc told reporters Tuesday.
But LeBlanc downplayed the importance of the results, saying that byelections are not the same as general elections.
Veterans Affairs Minister Ginette Petitpas Taylor said there is no doubt that the byelection loss in the Liberal stronghold of Toronto-St. Paul’s is disappointing.
“We continue to be focused on Canadians and making sure that we can do the best job possible in making sure to support them during some difficult times,” said Petitpas Taylor.
Their comments come just days after fellow New Brunswick Liberal MP Wayne Long called for Trudeau to resign as party leader.
The backbench MP, who represents Saint John-Rothesay, said he is proud of what the Liberals have accomplished under Trudeau over the past nine years.
“I just feel that it’s time to let new leadership with a new vision take the wheel. There are many Liberals that don’t recognize us anymore,” said Long.
LeBlanc and Petitpas Taylor were asked for their thoughts on Long’s remarks but said they did not want to comment.
“I don’t think it’s constructive for 150-plus Liberal MPs to comment on each other’s comments publicly. I’d be very busy all day if I tried to catch up with that,” said LeBlanc.
“I think it’s constructive for members of Parliament to focus on the work that they have to do. That’s what I’m doing and I’m not going to spend my time commenting on other colleagues’ comments.”
