Ottawa, Ontario – A significant development is unfolding within Canada’s Liberal Party as some Members of Parliament (MPs) are openly discussing the possibility of invoking the Reform Act during an upcoming caucus meeting on Sunday, May 25, 2025. This move would grant the caucus more power and, critically, reserve the right to trigger a vote to potentially unseat Prime Minister Mark Carney as party leader.
While Prime Minister Carney’s leadership has seen a dramatic turnaround in the Liberal Party’s fortunes, securing a fourth term in government, some backbench MPs are expressing a desire for greater checks and balances on the leader’s power. The Reform Act, championed by Conservative MP Michael Chong, was designed to shift some authority from party leaders towards backbench MPs and was notably used by Conservative MPs to oust former leader Erin O’Toole in 2022.
Sources close to CBC News indicate that half a dozen Liberal MPs, despite being pleased with Carney’s overall performance, believe adopting the Act would signal that while they have confidence in him, they desire a mechanism for accountability that was arguably lacking under his predecessor, who, according to some MPs, stayed on longer than he should have despite growing unpopularity.
Beyond leadership accountability, some MPs are also reportedly concerned about Prime Minister Carney elevating several individuals to cabinet whom they perceive as weak performers. Furthermore, the decision to retain Marco Mendicino as chief of staff, despite what some MPs view as major gaffes during his time as a minister, has also caused dismay. Carney, however, has publicly thanked Mendicino, calling his support “vital” during the recent leadership transition and federal election.
Prime Minister Carney himself has confirmed that four votes related to the Reform Act will take place at the Sunday caucus meeting, as required by law. The caucus will also vote on a new chair, and the Prime Minister is expected to address the MPs. The debate is also ongoing whether these votes will be held openly or by secret ballot.
This internal push to adopt the Reform Act reflects an evolving dynamic within the Liberal Party, where some MPs are seeking to assert greater influence and ensure a more accountable leadership structure moving forward.