Trudeau says ‘lots of conversations’ ongoing after shock byelection loss

Last week’s stunning byelection loss in a Toronto riding has spurred “lots of conversations” within the Liberal party, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said on Wednesday, as questions also swirl around his political future.

Since the surprise Conservative win in the riding of Toronto-St. Paul’s — a Liberal stronghold for more than three decades until then — Trudeau said the party has been “engaged in lots of important conversations.”

“Let’s be very clear, last week’s byelection loss, not to sugarcoat it, was challenging, was something that we need to take seriously,” he told reporters in Montreal, Que., where he made a community infrastructure announcement.

“We’ve been engaged in lots of important conversations,” Trudeau said.

“I’ve had lots of calls with different members of caucus, from across the country, not just in the GTA, to talk about how we make sure we’re continuing our work connecting with Canadians to make sure we’re continuing to deliver for people.”

Trudeau’s comments on Wednesday come as some Liberal MPs and a former cabinet minister in recent days have called for him to resign in the wake of the byelection upset.

“These are the things that we need to continue to focus on as Canadians are facing challenging times right now and we will continue to do that,” the prime minister said.

Last week, backbench MP Wayne Long said it was time for the Liberal party to find a new leader.

Long said in an email to the party caucus, obtained by Global News, that “new leadership” was needed.

“For the future of our party and for the good of our country we need new leadership and a new direction,” Long wrote. “The voters have spoken loud and clear they want change. I agree.”

Ken McDonald, a Liberal MP from Newfoundland and Labrador, in a