'More work to do,' says Justin Trudeau after his party loses another by-election

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau faces more questions about his leadership following the Liberal Party’s defeat in a Montreal by-election. The Bloc Québécois secured the win in the LaSalle-Émard-Verdun riding, previously a Liberal stronghold, in a tight three-way contest against the New Democratic Party (NDP) and the Liberals.
The Bloc candidate, Louis-Philippe Sauvé, won 28% of the vote, narrowly beating the Liberal candidate, Laura Palestini, who secured 27.2%, just 248 votes behind.The NDP trailed closely with 26.1%. This marks the second loss for Trudeau's party in three months, following a similar defeat in Toronto-St. Paul’s by-election in June.
Monday’s result deals a further blow to the Liberals, who had previously dominated both Toronto and Montreal in recent elections. Political observers have pointed to this defeat as a warning sign, with analysts calling it a significant hit to Trudeau’s political standing, especially as his party lost by nearly 16 percentage points compared to its previous win in 2021.
More work to do: Trudeau
Reacting to the defeat, Trudeau remained focused on the future. “Obviously it would have been nicer to win... but there’s more work to do,” he said, referring to the party’s continued efforts to regain the public's trust. He said that the main challenge now is to ensure Canadians fully understand their choice in the next election, vowing to carry on with this mission.
The loss comes at a difficult time for Trudeau, with his leadership already being questioned. Rising inflation, a housing crisis, and internal party divisions have further weakened his position. Moreover, the NDP’s decision to end their supply and confidence agreement has left his minority government more vulnerable. Trudeau has insisted that he remains committed to his role, saying, "I'm not going anywhere," despite the mounting challenges.
Battle on two fronts
Trudeau’s leadership is under increasing scrutiny from both inside and outside his party. With approval ratings sinking and internal party tensions rising, many are questioning whether he can continue to lead effectively. While some Liberal Party members are openly questioning whether Trudeau is still the right person to lead them into the next federal election. The recent by-election defeats in key ridings have amplified this discontent, with some MPs reportedly frustrated by the party's lack of direction and Trudeau’s handling of key issues. This internal discord became particularly evident when a Liberal MP publicly urged Trudeau to step aside following the loss in Toronto-St. Paul’s in June. The fractures within the party suggest that Trudeau is losing the unwavering support he once enjoyed from his colleagues.

The NDP’s decision to withdraw from their supply and confidence agreement with the Liberals has further weakened Trudeau’s position. Without this alliance, his minority government is more vulnerable to opposition attacks, increasing the likelihood of an early election. Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has already indicated plans to bring a no-confidence motion, and while it's unclear if the Bloc Québécois or NDP will support it, the pressure is certainly building on Trudeau from all sides.