New Democrats say they see opportunity in Liberals' Toronto byelection loss

An NDP insider says New Democrats were surprised by the Liberals' loss in the recent Toronto byelection — and now see the governing party's weakness as an opportunity.

Anne McGrath, principal secretary to NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh in the House of Commons, told CBC News the party thought the outcome of the Toronto St Paul's byelection would be close but not a Conservative upset.

«So it was a bit of a surprise, I think, for everybody,» she said, adding that the Liberals' byelection loss in a former party stronghold has intensified the debate within the Liberal Party about Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's future.

One sitting Liberal MP has called for Trudeau to step aside. Another has warned that Liberal incumbents could bow out of the next election if Trudeau stays on.

Last last month, Catherine McKenna, who served as environment minister under Trudeau, became the first former member of his cabinet to call for his resignation. Liberal MPs have been calling for an emergency meeting of the full caucus to discuss the byelection result; Liberal caucus chair Brenda Shanahan has rejected those calls.

• Liberal national caucus chair shuts down request by MPs for summer meeting over byelection loss

The internal strife within the Liberal caucus has created a leadership vacuum at a time when Canadians need help, McGrath said.

«Canadians are experiencing this really heightened level of anxiety about the cost of living and how to live,» she said. «The Liberal Party seems to be spending a lot of time talking about whether they should have a meeting or not.»

McGrath said the NDP will have an opportunity to talk to Canadians over the summer about things like grocery prices and the high cost of shelter.

«It is very fair to say that [the Liberals] are