Trudeau is ‘radioactive,’ says NDP MP as party caucus retreat begins

New Democrats are meeting in Montreal for a strategy session ahead of Parliament’s return next week, after distancing themselves from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, whom one NDP MP described as "radioactive."

Last week, the NDP ended their supply and confidence agreement that had been supporting the Liberal minority government.

"In my area, people are quite pleased that we’ve put some distance between ourselves and the Liberals. Justin Trudeau’s name is very radioactive where I’m from," said NDP MP Alistair MacGregor, who represents the Vancouver Island riding of Cowichan—Malahat—Langford.

The New Democrats began their three-day caucus retreat on Tuesday, with MacGregor and other MPs expressing support for the end of the agreement.

Vancouver-area NDP MP Don Davies said his constituents "completely" understand why the party chose to step away from the deal.

"The Trudeau government won’t deliver the change they need, and neither will Pierre Poilievre," Davies told reporters in Montreal.

The retreat is taking place in one of two cities where the NDP is vying to win byelections on Sept. 16. The party is working to retain a seat in the Winnipeg riding of Elmwood-Transcona and is aiming to capture the Liberal stronghold of Lasalle-Emard-Verdun in Montreal.

Alexandre Boulerice, the NDP's only MP from Quebec, believes that cutting ties with the Liberals will improve their chances in both races.

"I think it’s going to help us everywhere," Boulerice said as he arrived at the caucus meeting. "The Liberals aren’t delivering. They don’t make people feel like they’ve got their backs."