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Liberal party staffers pull support from Montreal by-election

The federal Liberal Party is facing a revolt from within its own party. Fifty-two party staffers wrote a letter to “The Leader of the Liberal Party” saying they would not support efforts in an upcoming Montreal by-election. The reason: the contentious ongoing war in Gaza.

The by-election in LaSalle–Emard–Verdun in Montreal, was vacated by former Justice Minister David Lametti. The by-election will occur on September 16 simultaneously with a federal riding in Manitoba. The Liberals are looking to avoid repeated embarrassment after losing the stronghold of Toronto-St. Paul’s earlier this year.

The news of a staffer revolt comes after a push from the party to increase doorknocking and volunteering. The group of staffers said, “While many of us started our political careers in elections as volunteers, we can no longer in good conscience campaign for a party that excludes us and our values."

The staffers also come with funding from the support of a group of influential Arab and Muslim donors to the Liberal Party known as the Network 100-GTA, London, Ottawa, Montreal. The group withdrew funding to the Liberals earlier this year. A spokesperson for the fund said, "I'm hoping that the party recognizes that this is not some people who may or may not be donating," he added. "Maybe they think they can find other donors, but you can't just find 50 staff overnight.”

The group of staffers has outlined five demands to the party.

1. Explicitly condemn Israel for its numerous war crimes and the genocidal rhetoric from members of the Israeli Cabinet.

2. Recognize the state of Palestine.

3. Acknowledge anti-Palestinian racism as a unique form of hate and work to address it in Canada.

4. Revoke existing arms export permits to Israel, and close loopholes that allow Canadian-made arms to be shipped through third countries.

5. End to all research collaboration on military and dual-use technologies between Canadian and Israeli researchers.

The Liberal Party's decision to withdraw from the Capital Pride march in Ottawa after organizers released a pro-Palestinian statement on Aug. 6 was one of the factors that triggered the staffers' decision, the letter said.

CBC is reporting that these staffers said there was anger that Liberal MPs and staffers, some of whom have relatives in Gaza, were reprimanded or told to keep their views to themselves, while Liberal MP Anthony Housefather was given free rein to criticize his own party and openly speculate about leaving it, only to be rewarded in July with a new appointment as the prime minister's special adviser on antisemitism and Jewish affairs.

Staffers told CBC News they were reluctant to damage their party's chances in the Montreal by-election and would deliver the letter privately to the prime minister to avoid embarrassing the ministers they work for. Staffers from almost every minister's office have signed the letter.

The lack of party volunteers and enthusiasm, coupled with a record-setting 91 candidates on the ballot in protest to electoral reform, and the Conservatives’ surge in national popularity, this by-election result may be the final straw for the Prime Minister’s leadership.

The biggest challenger to the Liberals is the local NDP candidate who was notably set to run for the Liberal Party in 2019 until he was dumped after a Jewish advocacy group accused him of “pro-Hamas sentiment.”

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NDP nominate a candidate in Moosomin-Montmartre

The provincial NDP has nominated a candidate for the riding of Moosomin-Montmartre.

Chris Ball was acclaimed by local members at the Wosley Town Hall last night. When he announced his intention to run he said, “My goal is to address issues surrounding mental health, the cost of living and fair representation of Indigenous people. It's time for change, let's bring back our Saskatchewan!”

Ball is the 52nd of 61 candidates nominated by the party ahead of this fall’s vote. The Saskatchewan Party has nominated 59 candidates.

The Saskatchewan Party currently does not have a candidate nominated in this riding although local newspaperman Kevin Weedmark is campaigning for the nomination.

The next nomination currently scheduled is a contested nomination for the NDP in Rosthern-Shellbrook on September 4.

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Each week leading up to the 2024 election, The SKoop Political Briefing will highlight a constituency that has nominated a candidate from at least both major parties. Today, we look at Kelvington-Wadena. This rural riding includes the communities of Wynyard, Wadena, Foam Lake, Kelvington, Porcupine Plain and more.

The incumbent (party): Chris Beaudry is the Saskatchewan Party candidate. Beaudry served as part of the coaching staff for the Humboldt Broncos until the tragic accident in 2018. Since then, he has engaged in public speaking and advocacy across North America focusing on mental health, trauma, and grief.

The challenger: Lorne Schroeder is the NDP candidate and owns and operates a mixed cattle and grain farm in Leroy. He has served as Reeve for the RM of Leroy, a School Board Chair, and the board of directors for Saskatchewan Organics. 

The takeaway: This is a safe Sask. Party seat. The Sask. Party has consistently won this riding. Previous MLAs include Hugh Nerlien and Jude Draude. In the 2020 election, Nerlien won with 69% of the vote. He recently stepped down as a candidate to spend more time with his family.

More news and info

• Sod-turning event held for new Sask. Polytech campus (Saskatoon StarPhoenix)

• Sask. high school course designed to increase supply of workers to run power grid (CBC News)

• Kevin Falcon to fold BC United, suspend campaign in BC (Global News)

2024 Election Candidate Tracker