Federal Transport Minister Pablo Rodriguez has announced his resignation from cabinet in order to seek the leadership of the Quebec Liberal party.
Rodriguez plans to sit as an independent MP in the House of Commons.
Rodriguez’s choice to step down is another blow for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, whose party is coming off the loss of the former Liberal stronghold of LaSalle-Émard-Verdun in a byelection in Montreal on Monday.
The Quebec Liberals have been without a leader since Dominique Anglade resigned following her defeat in the 2022 provincial election.
Rogriguez was previously the minister of Canadian Heritage and was first elected in 2004. He was defeated in 2011 before winning back his seat in 2015.
More to come