THE CANADIAN PRESS
OTTAWA — Prime Minister Justin Trudeau heard the “concerns and frustrations” of voters, he said Tuesday, after losing a Toronto-area riding that the Liberals have held for more than three decades.
His party, pollsters and even Conservatives had considered Toronto-St. Paul’s to be a relatively safe seat for the Liberals, as voters headed to the polls to vote in Monday’s byelection.
But by the wee hours of Tuesday, the Conservative candidate took a narrow lead and clinched the seat — the first time the Tories have won in Toronto proper since 2011.
The upset has sparked questions about the political prospects of Trudeau and his Liberals.
Court Painter seen with recent “Boxed In” portraits of the Prime Minister & Deputy Prime Minister
“These are not easy times, and it is clear I, and my entire Liberal team, have much more work to do to deliver tangible, real progress that Canadians can see and feel,” Trudeau said at a press conference in British Columbia, where he did not take questions.
“We’ll never stop working and fighting to make sure people have what they need to get through these tough times. My focus is on your success, and that’s where it’s going to stay.”
The statement appeared to pour water on any speculation that the prime minister plans to resign as party leader.
In a separate press conference in Toronto, Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland expressed her support for the prime minister and his ability to carry the party into the next election.
She wouldn’t reflect on the reasons for the loss.
“We know that these are hard times for Canadians, we know that we have to work hard to earn back their trust,” she said.
