PM Trudeau of Canada says he is considering criticism in light of the leadership turmoil

A close supporter of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau stated on Tuesday that Trudeau is considering the concerns made by members of the ruling Liberal Party who are upset by the resignation of Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland.

A Liberal lawmaker separately called Trudeau “delusional” for believing he could win the upcoming election, which is scheduled for October 20 of next year. The official opposition Conservatives would demolish the Liberals, according to polls.

Following a policy disagreement and a letter criticizing Trudeau’s leadership, Freeland quit on Monday, sparking one of the greatest crises since he took office as prime minister in 2015.

A few hours later, Trudeau convened a special conference with his parliamentary caucus, which is already dissatisfied with the party’s dismal polling results.

“He did say to caucus that he had heard very clearly, and listened carefully, to their concerns and he would reflect on it,” Dominic LeBlanc, the newly appointed Finance Minister, told the Canadian Broadcasting Corp. in his region of New Brunswick.

Later on Monday, LeBlanc—who is among Trudeau’s closest friends—was appointed finance minister.

The Liberal Christmas party in the evening is Trudeau’s lone scheduled public event for Tuesday. During his speech at a party fundraiser on Monday, he did not mention resigning.

Legislators lose their special election

The party’s troubles were highlighted by the fact that, according to preliminary results, it lost a special election in the western province of British Columbia.

The Conservatives won 66% of the vote in the Cloverdale-Langley City constituency on Monday, while the Liberals came in second with 16%. In order to fill a vacancy, an election was conducted.

Even though Trudeau cannot be pushed out by his caucus, it might be more difficult for him to remain in power if enough lawmakers publicly demand that he step down. Only a small number have done so in public, but that number is gradually rising.

Trudeau is secure for the time being since a vote of non-confidence by all opposition parties would be the only option to force him out. Such a vote would not be possible until January 27, when the elected chamber of the House of Commons returns.

On Tuesday, however, Liberal lawmaker Wayne Long, who had before urged Trudeau to resign, told reporters the prime minister was living in a fantasy world.

“He is insane if he believes that we can keep going in this manner… He remarked, “We’re underwater, not just taking on water.”

Bloc Quebecois, the opposition party, demanded an early election, arguing that Canada required a government that could effectively handle the new U.S. administration and its threats to levy 25% tariffs on Canadian goods.

The public supports the Conservatives 43%, the Liberals 23%, and the smaller, left-leaning New Democrats 20%, according to a Nanos Research poll issued on Tuesday. A huge Conservative majority would result from such an election-day outcome.

The Toronto Star, Canada’s most widely read newspaper and a traditionally liberal publication, delivered another setback on Tuesday when it published an editorial stating that Trudeau should step down.