Trudeau's Liberals face another big test in Montreal byelection

The federal Liberal Party will face another test in the upcoming byelection in Montreal’s LaSalle—Émard—Verdun riding on Sept. 16. Party officials are hoping to avoid a repeat of the loss they suffered in a Toronto byelection earlier this summer.

The Liberals’ defeat in Toronto-St. Paul’s, a seat they held for over 30 years, raised concerns among Liberal MPs who viewed the outcome as a critique of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s leadership. Some voters in Toronto-St. Paul’s told CBC News they saw the byelection as a referendum on Trudeau, suggesting the loss should signal that it’s time for him to step down after nine years in office.

Montreal voter Mary Ann Davis echoed this sentiment regarding the upcoming byelection. “People are not happy with the Liberals... I think Trudeau should resign. I’m voting NDP this time, that’s for sure,” she said.

Frederick Dejean, another Montreal resident, also expressed “Trudeau fatigue” and said it’s one reason he plans to vote for the NDP. "Trudeau has spent a long time in Ottawa, so maybe it's time for him to leave and let someone else step in."

Despite calls to resign, Trudeau has remained at the helm, pledging to refocus on policy rather than personalities. However, the upcoming LaSalle—Émard—Verdun race is seen as a political battleground, with the NDP and Bloc Québécois vying to unseat the Liberals.

Bloc candidate Louis-Philippe Sauvé framed the contest as a referendum on Trudeau’s record, saying, “People want to send a strong message to Ottawa, and I want to be their voice.” He believes voting for the Bloc is a strong way to protest against the government.

This Montreal riding, where francophones make up around 58% of residents, has historically leaned towards the federalist Liberals. However, the NDP is hoping for a resurgence, with candidate Craig Sauvé, a longtime Montreal city councillor, leading their charge. Sauvé believes his name recognition and organizational strength give the NDP a strong chance in this three-way race, despite the party finishing a distant third in the last general election.

Sauvé’s campaign is centered on expanding social programs like pharmacare and dental care, which were introduced after the NDP pushed the Liberals to act in return for supporting the government in Parliament. He is also seeking to attract voters from the Muslim and Arab communities by criticizing the government’s stance on the Gaza conflict and promising to push for a stronger condemnation of Israel’s actions.

Meanwhile, Liberal candidate Laura Palestini, a city councillor for two decades, is hoping to maintain the party’s hold on the seat, previously held by former justice minister David Lametti. She acknowledged some voter frustration with Trudeau but emphasized that she is running on her own merits and focusing on her ability to deliver results on economic issues, housing, and healthcare.

While the nationwide polls show Liberals struggling, Palestini said she has received positive feedback from local voters. She also downplayed the concerns of political staffers who have opted not to support her campaign due to the Liberal government’s position on Gaza, stating that she respects their opinions but has her own team ready to help.

With support from Quebec-based cabinet ministers like Mélanie Joly and Pablo Rodriguez, Palestini is focused on securing victory in this important race. Some voters, like Sean Robb, while acknowledging that Trudeau has not performed badly, are still leaning towards the NDP, believing change might be necessary after so many years of Liberal leadership.