No ‘time to waste’: Jean Chrétien’s former right-hand man asks Justin Trudeau to step down

OTTAWA — One of Jean Chrétien’s closest advisors is making the case for Justin Trudeau to leave politics to embrace a bigger cause — the unity of his country.

Eddie Goldenberg, who was Chrétien’s right-hand man for decades and served as chief of staff and senior policy advisor during his years in power, penned a piece called “Justin Trudeau’s Obligation to Canada” on Friday in which he argues that an undefeated Trudeau could be a more useful in leading the fight against separatists in Quebec.

“Trudeau could decide to fight the next election, lose, and like the old Roman general, be carried out on his shield. But there is a risk of serious and potentially even fatal consequences for Canada of a decision by Mr. Trudeau to go out on his shield,” wrote Goldenberg, who is now senior advisor at the Global Public Affairs firm in Ottawa.

“The question for the Prime Minister is whether he is more valuable leading the Liberal Party to an almost certain defeat or whether he should do all he can to be in a strong position to be available to take a leading role in speaking up for Canada in a possible Quebec independence referendum,” he added.

Canada is facing the perspective of a Parti Quebecois government in the next two years and third referendum on independence in the first mandate. Goldenberg said it is “hard to imagine” that Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre would lead the federalist troops as a non-Quebecer nor are there a lot of “credible federalist spokespersons in Quebec today.”

“Consider the role a Justin Trudeau, who had retired undefeated after more than nine years leading a government, could play in Quebec defending Canadian unity. This Justin Trudeau would have a positive legacy that would be remembered and respected.”

Goldenberg said that the Liberal leader would have a “standing in public opinion that would make him a formidable force in explaining to Quebecers the benefits of being part of Canada” and made the case only he could hold the country together.

“An undefeated Justin Trudeau could very well be the difference between saving Canada and seeing the breakup of it. This is a most powerful reason for Mr. Trudeau to retire now before it is too late,” he wrote.

Goldenberg’s call for action is coming at a time when dozens of inside voices in the Liberal caucus are calling for Trudeau to resign. Some of them are expected to make a plea directly to the prime minister during their weekly caucus meeting on Wednesday.

Liberal MPs have expressed frustration that they are headed to a massive defeat in the next election with Trudeau at the helm and believe that many of their constituents would be willing to give the Liberals another chance if they choose another leader.

While some have said it might be too late for the party to hold a leadership convention which would take several months to organize, Goldenberg said there is a “bold innovative way” which could allow a new leader to be chosen in a matter of weeks.

He said Trudeau could first announce that he would retire within two or three weeks. The Liberal party could then hold an immediate town hall to showcase leadership candidates, and the caucus would choose an interim leader who would be immediately sworn in as prime minister as per constitutional practice.

“The Liberal Party Executive could then announce that given parliamentary uncertainty today, a leadership convention would not be held until after the next election. If the new Prime Minister wins the election, the convention would be a formality. If he or she loses, there could be a real contest,” he said.

Goldenberg said that the new prime minister would have time to form a new cabinet, announce their own agenda and be ready to call an election where Canadians who would neither vote for Trudeau nor Poilievre would have a “real choice.”

“It would be a whole new ball game and the result would be far from a foregone conclusion,” he said.

Goldenberg declined to provide comment about his piece.

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