Liberal Leader Brenda Shanahan told lawmakers late Thursday that “scheduling conflicts” mean it’s “not possible” to hold caucus this summer, despite an influx of requests from lawmakers following their shocking by-election losses in Toronto-area ridings.
“Nevertheless, we intend to continue our conversations this summer about the changes you and Canadians want to see,” Shanahan said in an email to colleagues obtained by CBC News.
Mr Shanahan added that “private individual and group meetings with members of the Liberal team have already begun and will continue as we prepare for our exit in September this year.”
Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland told reporters Thursday afternoon that some members of the Toronto Liberal caucus recently met in the prime minister’s backyard to discuss the by-election results.
Following the by-election loss to the Conservatives in the Toronto-St. Paul constituency, which has been a Liberal stronghold for more than 30 years, several members have publicly and privately called for the Liberal party to convene a full caucus.
Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland said Toronto’s “416” councillors met in her backyard to discuss the future of the Liberal party following their defeat in the Toronto-St. Paul by-election.
Ken MacDonald, MP for Newfoundland and Labrador, told CBC Power and politics He said Tuesday that such gatherings would allow “everyone to speak their mind without repercussions, because those conversations can be difficult at times.”
Similarly, Liberal MP for Calgary-Skyview, George Chahal, told colleagues in an email last Friday that he had signed a letter to Shanahan calling for an in-person meeting in Ottawa.
“This was an election that the Liberal Party of Canada should not have lost,” Chahal wrote in a message to Shanahan. “The people of Toronto-St. Paul sent a clear message.”
Chahal said the letter was also signed by eight other lawmakers and that he would leave it to them to reveal their identities.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, speaking at his first news conference since the by-election on Wednesday, said he was “negotiating” with MPs individually, but did not say whether he would meet with all of them in person.
“I’ve had numerous calls with various members of my caucus, not just from around the state but across the country. [Greater Toronto Area]”We’ll be talking about how we continue to work to stay connected to Canadians and continue to deliver results for our people,” Trudeau said.
