'Wish him all the best,' Trudeau dismisses Liberal loyalist saying party would benefit from new leader

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has dismissed a long-time Liberal and current senator's suggestion that it may be time he step down to make room for a new Liberal party leader.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has dismissed a long-time Liberal and current senator's suggestion that it may be time he step down to make room for a new Liberal party leader.

This week, Sen. Percy Downe went public with his views amid a downward trend in the polls, economic unease and rumour mills churning about potential Liberal leadership contenders readying to replace him.

In a radio interview on The Vassy Kapelos Show Thursday, Downe said he's hearing from "many members of the caucus" who are concerned and consider the time between now and February as critical for the party to conduct some internal soul-searching about the best path forward.

"It's quite widespread," Downe said. When asked why no other Liberals have said publicly what he claims they've communicated privately, the senator said they can't for a range of reasons, including the fact that the party leader signs their nomination forms.

"It's very difficult for them to do that and not see their careers go down in flames," Downe said. "I would like to hear Mr. Trudeau address the concerns in the party publicly."

Asked to comment on this chatter, on his way in to question period, the prime minister became animated.

"Oh Percy, yeah. How's he doing?" Trudeau asked, to which a reporter indicated that he wants the prime minister to quit.