Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says he has heard the “concerns” and “frustrations” of voters, a few hours after his troops had to resign themselves to losing a seat to the Conservatives in a long-time Liberal stronghold.
“This is obviously not the result we wanted,” he said Tuesday, in writing, shortly before his first public appearance after the by-election in the Ontario riding of Toronto — St. Paul’s.
The Prime Minister repeated the same words on the microphone during his speech in British Columbia. Mr. Trudeau did not plan to answer questions from journalists.
“The current situation is not easy. And it is clear that I and my entire Liberal team still have a lot of work to do to make tangible, real progress that Canadians can see and feel,” he continued.
Thus, he signaled that he intends to “remain [r] focused” on the “successes” of the voters whose message he says he heard.
Many observers of the federal political scene saw Monday evening’s partial as a test for Mr. Trudeau’s leadership and as a potential indicator of the battle to come during the next general election.
Conservative candidate Don Stewart won by just 590 votes against Liberal Leslie Church in a morning upset, wresting a riding that the ruling Liberals had held for more than 30 years.
Asked about this outcome, Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland maintained that “the Prime Minister […] in our support,” during a press briefing in Toronto.
“He must not leave. The Prime Minister, like all members of our team, understand that we must continue to work hard to deliver for Canadians,” she said in French.
In English, she has repeatedly said that her government must strive to “regain the trust” of the population.
“We have to work harder and that’s what we’re going to do,” she concluded.
If all goes as planned, the next federal election will take place in the fall of 2025.