Opinion | Justin Time’s Up
Clock is ticking for Canadian PM and his Liberal Party after messing with Bharat, backing Khalistanis and relying on US deep state
Curtains seem to be finally drawing on Justin Trudeau’s political stage as pressure mounts from within his own party for his ouster. In an unprecedented move, over 20 members of the ruling Canadian party have issued an ultimatum — Trudeau must resign by October 28 or face consequences that remain unspecified but carry an ominous weight.
For a leader who once stood as the poster boy of Canadian progressivism, the abrupt demand for resignation marks a striking reversal of fortunes, underscoring widening cracks in his party.
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Smiling, but appearing cornered, Trudeau maintained an air of optimism as he emerged from a three-hour meeting with his party’s MPs, declaring that Liberals remain “strong and united."
But the reality seems far different from Liberals being united behind him. Behind closed doors, there were whispers of dissent that echoed across the 153-member Liberal caucus – a quarter of whom were now in their call for leadership change to salvage their electoral prospects.
The revolt within Trudeau’s ranks was not merely an outburst of frustration; it was a calculated move driven by plunging poll numbers, defeats in key by-elections and fears of a potential wipeout in the next general election in the next few months.
With Trudeau insisting that he plans to run for a fourth term – something no Canadian prime minister has achieved in over a century – the very core of the Liberal Party saw him more as a liability than a leader. The sentiment was widely shared among party members who were anxious about losing their seats amid growing voter discontent, triggered by economic stagnation, the cost-of-living crisis and Trudeau’s handling of diplomatic tensions with Bharat.
Recent poll numbers have been bleak, with approval ratings plummeting to all-time lows. For the once-dominant Liberals, who have had controlled Canada’s Parliament since 2015, the message was clear: it’s time for Trudeau to go.
Trudeau’s downfall was deeply intertwined with his handling of the diplomatic crisis with Bharat – a standoff that morphed from a miscalculated allegation to a full-blown international controversy. By accusing Bharat of involvement in the assassination of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a designated terrorist in Bharat, Trudeau played a high-stakes gamble that backfired spectacularly.
Lacking concrete evidence, the accusation was perceived as a desperate bid to solidify his political base among Khalistani sympathisers in British Columbia and New Democratic Party (NDP) Khalistani underling Jagmeet Singh. Instead, it alienated a significant chunk of Canada’s population, further isolating him on the global stage and intensifying the internal discontent within Liberal Party.
Trudeau’s broader strategy appears to have relied on intangible intelligence inputs, courting controversial figures such as Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, the US-based face of Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), a Khalistani group banned in Bharat. Pannun’s claim of sharing information with Trudeau’s office about Nijjar’s death conveniently aligned with the Trudeau’s narrative, yet also raised serious questions about Trudeau’s proximity to US based Khalistani elements.
Trudeau was central to this recklessness, navigating a fraught political landscape where the US was fiercely defending Khalistani extremists such as Pannun under the guise of free expression and US citizenship. The US ‘deep state’ seems to have played dirty in the Nijjar episode. Trudeau and his government had relied big time on US Federal agencies to make out a case against Bharat and mobilise the ‘five eyes’ network. Five Eyes alliance, which includes Australia, Canada, the UK, New Zealand and the US, complicated this further, particularly in its approach to terrorism as all these nations were witnessing an uptick in Khalistani extremism.
Meanwhile, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) suspected of influencing Canadian politics and ISI supporting Khalistani movements contributed to Trudeau’s political downfall, as his missteps shifted from mere political manoeuvring to outright rhetoric.
The resignation demand, initially voiced in private corridors, has now spilled into public view. MPs like Randy Boissonnault, Employment Minister, admitted candidly that “palace drama" within the Liberal Party has diverted focus from addressing Canadians’ everyday concerns. The internal conflict was further compounded by losses in two special elections – Toronto and Montreal – which have traditionally been Liberal strongholds.
The once-unshakeable Trudeau brand now appears vulnerable with even senior party figures such as Yvan Baker emphasising that the decision to stay or go lies squarely with Trudeau. Charles Sousa, an MP from suburban Toronto, echoed the sentiment that Trudeau is “reflecting on the situation", adding that he did not sign the resignation demand. His words were measured, but revealed a lingering uncertainty within the party. “Trudeau made it very clear that he was the right choice, but he was aware of what was being said," Sousa stated diplomatically. Its underlying message was unmistakable: the Liberals were losing faith.
For Trudeau, the son of Pierre Trudeau, this moment represented a dramatic fall from grace. Once celebrated as a champion of diversity, inclusivity and progressive policies, he stood accused of clinging to power at the cost of party unity and national stability. His earlier successes – legalising cannabis, promoting gender equality and welcoming Syrian refugees – now felt like distant memories overshadowed by economic failures, high inflation and rising crime.
As the October 28 deadline looms, Trudeau finds himself in an unenviable position. If he refuses to resign, the party risks further fractures that may jeopardise their standing further in the next election. On the other hand, if Trudeau stepped down, it marks the end of a nearly decade-long era, one that started with hope and optimism, but now nearly ended in scandal and controversy.
With tensions reaching a boiling point, Trudeau’s resignation or defiance could reshape Canada’s political landscape. His removal could pave the way for a new Liberal leader, potentially rescuing the party from electoral disaster. Alternatively, Trudeau could attempt to cling to power, hoping to weather the storm — although at this stage, even his trademark optimism might not be enough.
The next few days will be crucial, not just for Trudeau, but for Canada itself. As party insiders debate the future, a broader question remained: has Trudeau’s political gamble finally cost him everything? And as the dust settled, one thing becomes clear – this is not just a battle for Trudeau’s political survival, but a defining moment for Canadian people, where the pursuit of power may have finally collided with the demands of reality.
The author is Research Director at Centre for Integrated and Holistic Studies, a non-partisan think tank based in New Delhi. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18’s views.
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