OTTAWA — A backbench MP from Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s Liberal Party has become the first sitting member to publicly call for his resignation following a disastrous by-election loss.

Wayne Long, representing a riding in New Brunswick, made his stance clear in an email to fellow party members obtained by Canadian media outlets. Long emphasized the need for new leadership "for the future of our party and for the good of our country," citing the clear message from voters demanding change.

The Liberals suffered a significant setback in a recent Toronto by-election, losing a seat they had held since 1993. Despite serving as an MP since 2015 and previously announcing he would not seek re-election, Long's call underscores mounting discontent within the party.

According to the National Post, Newfoundland MP Ken McDonald echoed Long's sentiments, responding with "well said!" to the email.

Former Liberal figures have also joined the chorus, including Catherine McKenna, a former environment minister under Trudeau from 2015-19. McKenna stressed that the Liberal Party transcends any single individual and called for new ideas and leadership.

Christy Clark, former British Columbia Liberal Premier, echoed these sentiments in an interview with the Toronto Star, suggesting Trudeau has lost his appeal with voters and is failing to inspire key demographics.

Canada's next election is slated for October 20, 2025. Despite Monday’s defeat, Trudeau, in office since 2015, reaffirmed his commitment to lead the Liberals forward, acknowledging challenges ahead in delivering tangible progress amidst widespread concerns over cost-of-living pressures.

Following the Conservatives' narrow victory in Toronto-St Paul's, Trudeau’s popularity has waned significantly, with a recent Ipsos poll for Global News indicating that 68% of Canadians believe he should step down. — BBC