Canada’s Trudeau is facing a rebellion from within as the popular conservative leader seeks to capitalize

Justin Trudeau faces perhaps his toughest challenge yet as the Canadian prime minister faces mounting calls for his resignation.

Pierre Poilievre, leader of the opposition Conservative Party, would be the obvious candidate to replace Trudeau if his party can win the next general election, which is not scheduled until October 2025. A year after the election, a CBC News poll shows the Conservative Party has a twenty-point lead Trudeau’s Liberalsdropped to a new low.

Poilievre, who appeals to both traditional conservatives and the more populist elements of society, wants to capitalize on Canada’s post-pandemic social and economic problems.

CANADA’S TRUDEAU REMAINS IN OFFICE DESPITE LOSS OF KEY SEAT IN SPECIAL ELECTIONS

Trudeau, who has been in power since 2015 and is seeking a fourth term as prime minister, is facing a small rebellion from within his own party. The Liberal Party has 153 seats in Canada’s House of Commons. Several lawmakers within the party sent Trudeau a letter asking him to resign as party leader as his popularity has waned and could affect the outcome of the next election.

The Prime Minister had to deal with one no vote of confidence introduced in parliament in September by opposition leader Poilievre, but his Conservatives failed to gain enough support from other political parties to oust Trudeau.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speaks in the House of Commons on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, Ontario, on Tuesday, October 31. (Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press via AP)

With Trudeau’s approval rating dipping below 30%, Poilievre and the Conservative Party could still call for more votes of no confidence. The Conservative Party has 119 seats in the House of Commons but, along with several other opposition parties, could oust Trudeau.

Some MPs in Trudeau’s party dismissed calls for his resignation as a distraction and only for a small but vocal minority of the party.

Canadian Conservative Party Leader Pierre Poilievre speaks during a ‘Spike the Hike – Ax the Tax’ rally in Edmonton, on March 27, 2024, in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. (Artur Widak/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

“Realistically, there is little chance of Trudeau resigning,” Jamie Tronnes, executive director of the Center for North American Prosperity and Security, told Fox News Digital.

“Historically, when leaders have been ousted by Canadian political parties, it has been due to a systematic and organized effort, usually led by an heir apparent or their supporters. In this case, there is no such person, at least not one organized and supported by the Liberal caucus,” Tronnes added.

Against the backdrop of Trudeau’s growing unpopularity and calls for his resignation, concerns have been growing since the pandemic about the rising cost of living and a shortage of affordable housing, which many say is being exacerbated by the rise of the overseas born population.

Marc Miller (R), Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, presents a small Canadian flag to one of 53 new Canadian citizens representing 22 different countries as they begin their citizenship journey during a special ceremony at Canada Place, October 12 2023, in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. (Artur Widak/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

Tronnes said the rapid arrival of newcomers has severely strained what Canada’s economy, housing, health care and other institutions can support. If the election were held now, Tronnes said, Poilievre would become Canada’s next prime minister.

CANADA MOVES TO RESTRICT IMMIGRATION AGAINST STRESSED RELATIONS WITH US

In an effort to deflect criticism from the right, Trudeau announced that Canada will reduce the number permanent residents in the country from an initial target of 500,000 to 395,000 permanent residents by 2025. In 2026 and 2027, these figures will drop significantly.

“While it is clear that our economy needs newcomers, we see the pressures our country is facing and must adjust our policies accordingly,” Marc Miller, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, said in a statement.

“These changes will make immigration work for our country, so everyone has access to the quality jobs, homes and support they need to thrive. We listened to Canadians and we will continue to protect the integrity of our system and grow our population responsibly. ”, Molenaar added.

Freedom Convoy protesters gather on Parliament Hill for the first anniversary of the Covid-19 truck convoy protest in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, on January 28, 2023. (DAVE CHAN/AFP via Getty Images)

Reducing the number of immigrants will help ease pressure on the housing market, with the housing supply shortage expected to close by about 670,000 homes by the end of 2027, the Canadian government said.

Trudeau’s pivot on immigration would mark a major change for the prime minister and Canada’s historic immigration policy. Canadas immigration policy have generally welcomed newcomers to promote economic growth and have also supported asylum seekers.

Canada’s population has grown in recent years, reaching 41 million in April 2024. Immigration was responsible for almost 98% of this growth in 2023, according to official Canadian government data.

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Pierre Poilievre, leader of the Canadian Conservative Party, at the Canada Strong and Free Networking Conference in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, on Thursday, April 11, 2024. (David Kawai/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

Trudeau has said Canada’s population growth must stabilize and adjustments must be made to social programs before they can welcome new immigrants in the future.

Tronnes told Fox News Digital: “There’s an old saying in Canadian politics: governments defeat themselves. In this case, Trudeau’s unwillingness to leave could prove to be true.”