Sophie Chatel

By Trevor Greenway

Liberal MP Sophie Chatel says that her constituents in the Pontiac riding want “a change of leadership.”

That’s why it wasn’t surprising to see her name among the  25 or so federal Liberal MPs who signed a letter asking for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to step down as their leader by Oct. 28. 

“People in my riding are saying, ‘We want change, but we don’t want to go backward,’” Chatel told the Low Down on Oct. 26, a day after she reportedly stood up in a dramatic caucus meeting to support West Vancouver–Sunshine Coast–Sea to Sky Country MP Patrick Weiller’s motion to ask Trudeau to step down. 

Chatel wouldn’t confirm or deny whether or not she signed the letter or the specifics of what happened in caucus, however it has been widely reported by multiple news outlets that she was among the dissenting voices. 

When asked what the “change” her constituents want to see is, Chatel said, “It’s not 100 per cent clear, and that’s why we are having this discussion.”

“Of course, the obvious one is a change of leadership for many constituents,” added Chatel. “But, across Canada, if it’s not a leadership change, then what else? And that’s the discussion we are having.”

When asked if she still had confidence in Trudeau’s leadership, Chatel dodged the question and said any talk of a leadership change should be between caucus and the prime minister. She told the Low Down that whatever Trudeau decides to do – whether he will resign or not – she will “respect” his decision.

“I think that what’s important is to have a discussion in caucus with the prime minister about the change that Canadians want,” said Chatel. 

“But that discussion, to me, is between caucus members and the prime minister.”

Despite coming out against Trudeau, Chatel told the Low Down that she is proud of everything the Liberal party has accomplished since it took power in 2015 – namely, tackling issues facing Indigenous communities, the environment and the party’s social–economic policies. 

She said she has “tremendous respect” for Trudeau and will ultimately support his decision. 

“…We all want the same thing – to protect the progress we’ve made under our prime minister’s leadership,” she said. 

“The decision is the decision of the prime minister, and I’m sure that whatever decision he takes, it’s for the best interest of the country and the best interest of the party.”

Conservative candidate hopeful in the Pontiac, Brian Goodman, wasted no time in calling out the Liberal party’s dysfunction. Just a day after the news broke that Chatel was one of the dissenting MPs, he called her out publicly, asking for her to explain her stance and to disclose whether or not she would sit as an independent MP if Trudeau refuses to resign. 

Goodman told the Low Down that the Liberal party is failing Canadians by infighting instead of focusing on the issues plaguing the country.

“There’s a lot of uncertainty for Canadians right now, and the Liberals are basically fighting each other when they should be focused on the economy, focused on helping people,” said Goodman. 

He said he agrees with Chatel on constituents wanting change, saying he’s heard a similar sentiment during his campaigning throughout the Hills to become the Conservative nominee for the Pontiac riding. 

“People have had enough of Trudeau and the Liberals as well,” said Goodman. “You can’t pin everything on [Trudeau], but he’s been there for nine years, and there’s a lot of people in a bad situation right now, and people are tired, and people are ready for a change.”