Canadian Liberals face 'Fortress Toronto' challenges

Significance Last month’s unexpected by-election defeat in a historically strong Liberal constituency in the Toronto area indicates that few Liberal seats are now safe from a Conservative challenge. Some in the Liberal Party are now asking whether fighting the next election with a new leader might stave off a heavy loss. Impacts The party’s refusal to hold a meeting of all Liberal MPs to discuss the by-election loss will not mute disquiet in the parliamentary party. Trudeau will feel pressure at this week’s NATO summit in Washington over what many members see as Canada's poor record on defence spending. Three more by-elections are already pending after the resignations of two Liberal MPs and one NDP MP; another Liberal departure is likely.