Federal Liberals face blowback from voters after Housefather demotion

There continues to be a lot of angry reactions to the news that the Member of Parliament for Mount Royal, Anthony Housefather, was demoted, especially from some residents in his riding.

There continues to be a lot of angry reactions to the news that the Member of Parliament for Mount Royal, Anthony Housefather, was demoted, especially from some residents in his riding.

Housefather has served as parliamentary secretary since December but was relieved of those duties last weekend.

Political analysts have been speculating that it was retribution on the part of the Liberal party after Housefather was the only member to vote against Bill C-13, the federal language bill, which referred to Quebec's Bill 96.

At the time, the Montreal MP spoke out about Bill 96's use of the notwithstanding clause, which shields it from court challenges, saying he didn't want it to be incorporated into federal law.

In May, he explained his thinking on the matter to CTV News, saying it was a matter of principle.

"I couldn't, in good conscience, look myself in the mirror if I voted in favour of the bill and had a unanimous vote in the House of Commons, leaving the English-speaking community feeling isolated," Housefather said.

Housefather has declined to comment about losing his position but people in his riding said on Tuesday that they support the comments Housefather has made in the past.