Trudeau was good for P.E.I., Island MPs say, but he made the right decision to step down

Three Liberal MPs on Prince Edward Island say Prime Minister Justin Trudeau made the right decision to step down as party leader Monday, but it comes with mixed feelings.

A fourth, Cardigan MP Lawrence MacAulay, continued to keep his opinion on Trudeau's decision to himself, but said he has "always been firm" in his support for the prime minister.

Sean Casey, the MP for Charlottetown and one of the first in the Liberal caucus to publicly call for the prime minister's resignation, said "history will be kind" to Trudeau, but he waited too long to step down.

"The fact that he took so long really has left the party in a situation where the transition will be extremely difficult because it will be so condensed. But it also has taken a toll on the dignity that he deserves at this point."

Egmont MP Bobby Morrissey said he was "sad." It was Trudeau who convinced him to return to federal politics in 2015, but he recognizes that "all leaders have a timeline and renewal is always good."

"I was proud to be part of his government and his team and watching Justin Trudeau today address the nation at a very difficult time, it's never easy." 

Heath MacDonald, MP for Malpeque, said under the circumstances, it was the best move for the federal Liberal Party as well as for Trudeau and his family.

"It's not personal, it's politics and you have to adjust accordingly and I think the prime minister has adjusted today."

MacAulay, who served as a cabinet minister for all nine years of Trudeau's government, did not grant an interview with CBC, but in an emailed statement said he wished Trudeau well in the future.

"It was under his leadership that we have been able to achieve a great deal for Island families, our province, and the country… I consider him to be not only a historic leader, but a dear friend, and his legacy will be one of unwavering service to Canadians." 

Trudeau's resignation comes after mounting pressure from Canadians frustrated by the high cost of living, access to health care and a variety of other grievances.

Members of his own party joined in the chorus of calls for him to step down. It reached a boiling point in December when former finance minister and deputy prime minister Chrystia Freeland resigned from cabinet, saying she was at odds with Trudeau "about the best path forward for Canada."

The latest aggregate polls show the Conservatives with 44.2 per support among voters, a 24-point lead over the Liberals. The NDP is just one point behind the Liberals.

Trudeau said Gov. Gen. Mary Simon has granted his request to prorogue Parliament until March 24 so the Liberals can elect a new leader.

Casey and Morrissey said there are several qualified candidates to take over from Trudeau. They said it's too early to commit to one, but it would be hard not to support a candidate from the Atlantic provinces such as New Brunswick MP Dominic LeBlanc if he chooses to run.

All four MPs said P.E.I. benefited greatly from programs and funding during Trudeau's leadership. They hope that will continue under the next Liberal leader.