OTTAWA — The Liberal caucus is gathering today on Parliament Hill for the first time since the April 2025 election. The aim of this gathering is twofold: to prepare for the start of the new parliamentary session and to discuss a potential process for the removal of a party leader who is resistant to stepping down.

This meeting comes on the heels of an eventful period for Liberal Members of Parliament (MPs), particularly in light of their experiences with former leader Justin Trudeau. Trudeau faced mounting pressure from the caucus to resign after the party's disappointing performance in the April elections. He ultimately decided to resign weeks after his finance minister, Chrystia Freeland, announced her departure from the cabinet in December 2024.

During this caucus meeting, MPs are expected to cast a vote on adopting the Reform Act for the first time in the party's history. However, this process, if approved, would not pose any immediate threat to the current Prime Minister, Mark Carney. The Reform Act is designed to empower members of the caucus, allowing them to initiate a leadership review with the support of just a fifth of the party’s MPs.

The significance of adopting the Reform Act cannot be understated, as it would establish a formal procedure for Liberal MPs to remove their leader if a majority of the caucus endorses such a move through a secret ballot. This mechanism mirrors the process employed by the Conservative Party when they ousted Erin O'Toole from leadership after their loss in the 2021 federal election.

As this pivotal caucus meeting unfolds, the outcome of the vote on the Reform Act could set a precedent for the have-nots among government leaders within the party. Should the caucus choose to proceed with the Reform Act, it may usher in a new era of accountability and responsiveness in the governance of the Liberal Party, especially in terms of leadership dynamics.

The discussions and decisions made during this meeting are poised to influence not only the internal workings of the Liberal Party but also its broader strategic direction as it moves forward in the current parliamentary landscape. The repercussions of these deliberations will likely resonate throughout the coming weeks and months, as party members navigate the complexities of leadership, accountability, and party unity.

The meeting is bolstered by the backdrop of a recent shift in leadership and cabinet dynamics, with Prime Minister Mark Carney recently taking office following a swearing-in ceremony at Rideau Hall in Ottawa on May 13, 2025. As the Liberal caucus prepares to confront challenges head-on, the discussions regarding the Reform Act highlight the need for a robust and responsive party structure capable of adapting to the evolving political climate.