00:00Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's ruling Liberal Party faces a crucial test
00:05in a by-election for the La Salle-en-Anne Virgin constituency in Montreal.
00:11This seat, once considered a safe Liberal stronghold, has become highly contested,
00:16and the outcome could have major implications for Trudeau's leadership.
00:20The by-election was triggered after a Liberal legislator resigned,
00:25and despite the party's historical strength in the area, polls now show a tight race.
00:34If the Liberals fail to secure the seat, it could add to the growing calls for Trudeau to step down
00:39as party leader, a sentiment that has already been expressed by some of his party members.
00:44Alexandra Mendez, a Liberal lawmaker from Quebec,
00:48recently voiced that many of her constituents believe Trudeau is no longer the right leader.
00:54I didn't hear it from two or three people. I heard it from dozens,"
00:58she said in an interview with Radio Canada.
01:04Trudeau has been in office for nearly nine years, but his popularity has declined amid
01:09frustrations over rising living costs and housing prices. He has maintained that he
01:14will lead the party in the next general election, which must take place by October 2025.
01:20He recently commented that voter anger over these economic issues
01:24would be a significant factor in the by-election outcome.
01:31The Liberals are facing a steep uphill battle against Pierre Bolivier's Conservative Party,
01:36which has surged ahead in national polls. A recent Lega poll put the Conservatives
01:41at 45% public support, with the Liberals trailing at 25%. The poll also shows that
01:48the New Democratic Party and Bloc Québécois are closing in on the Liberals in the Lassalle-Aignan-Verdun
01:54riding, with the three parties neck and neck.
02:01The pressure on Trudeau intensified after the Liberals lost a safe seat in Toronto in a June
02:06special election. Polls suggest that the Liberals could suffer a similar fate in this by-election,
02:12which would further erode confidence in Trudeau's leadership.
02:18The high cost of living and a growing housing crisis have become central issues in Canadian
02:24politics. Bolivier has capitalized on this discontent, promising to eliminate the federal
02:30carbon tax and cap immigration until more housing is available. In contrast, the Liberals have
02:36sought to portray Bolivier as aligned with the Make America Great Again movement, seeking to
02:43paint him as a divisive figure ahead of the next election.
02:50Voting in the by-election ends at 9pm local time, with early results expected within 90 minutes.
02:57However, the inclusion of several other candidates, including 80 activists frustrated by Trudeau's
03:03failure to reform Canada's voting system, could delay the final count.
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