Why some Liberal MPs want to reserve the right to oust Mark Carney

Several Liberal MPs have indicated that they are planning to vote in favor of adopting the Reform Act during an upcoming meeting on Sunday. This move would grant more power to the caucus and allow them to trigger a vote to potentially remove Prime Minister Mark Carney as the party leader. CBC News has spoken with several MPs who expressed satisfaction with Carney’s performance thus far, noting the party’s successful turnaround and fourth consecutive term in government under his leadership.

The decision to consider adopting the Reform Act stems from a desire to avoid a situation similar to what transpired under Justin Trudeau’s government. MPs recalled how Trudeau resisted calls for his resignation for an extended period before eventually stepping down in January. The Reform Act, which came into effect in 2015, empowers political parties to initiate leadership reviews and was introduced by Conservative MP Michael Chong to shift some authority from party leaders to backbench MPs. Conservative MPs utilized the act to remove former leader Erin O’Toole in 2022.

While the Liberals have not previously embraced the Reform Act, some MPs are now contemplating its adoption for the first time. If the majority of caucus members vote in favor of the act, it would signal to Carney that while they have confidence in his leadership, they also seek checks and balances that were lacking under his predecessor.

Concerns about preventing issues that arose during Trudeau’s tenure have also motivated some MPs to support the Reform Act. They highlighted instances where Trudeau remained in office despite waning popularity and the disproportionate influence wielded by his staff over elected officials, leading to a perception of caucus irrelevance.

Notably, some members of the caucus have reservations about Carney’s cabinet appointments, particularly the retention of Marco Mendicino as chief of staff, citing past mistakes made during his time as a minister. Carney defended his decision to keep Mendicino on board, lauding his contributions during the post-leadership race period, federal election, and government transition.

The debate over adopting the Reform Act has generated mixed reactions among Liberal MPs. While some are wary of following the Conservatives’ post-election adoption pattern, others are awaiting caucus feedback before making a decision. The upcoming meeting will feature discussions on whether the vote should be conducted openly or through a secret ballot, with past open votes being criticized for creating an uncomfortable environment for dissenting voices.

Liberal MP Nate Erskine-Smith has publicly endorsed the adoption of the Reform Act, emphasizing the importance of holding leaders accountable to caucus. He stressed that the act’s provisions are not contentious and are essential for ensuring effective leadership evaluation and potential replacement if necessary. Despite not being included in Carney’s recent cabinet reshuffle, Erskine-Smith remains a vocal supporter of the act.

As the caucus prepares for the vote on Sunday, Carney has announced that there will be four related votes in accordance with legal requirements. The agenda also includes the election of a new chair, with the prime minister expected to address the MPs during the meeting. The outcome of the vote on the Reform Act could have significant implications for the internal dynamics and future direction of the Liberal Party.