The lectern is installed before keynote addresses at the 2023 Liberal National Convention in Ottawa, on Thursday, May 4, 2023. Jeremy Broadhurst left an advisory post in the prime minister's office last year in order to take on the leadership role guiding the Liberals through their first election since winning minority government status in 2021.Justin Tang/The Canadian Press
The federal Liberals’ national campaign director has quit his post, announcing his exit a day after the NDP ended its co-operative agreement with the Liberal government and prompting the possibility of an early election.
In a statement posted Thursday on social media, Jeremy Broadhurst wrote that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and the Liberals need someone who can bring more energy and devotion to the job than he can at this point in his life.
Mr. Broadhurst left an advisory post in Mr. Trudeau’s office last year in order to take on the leadership role guiding the Liberals through their first election since they won minority government status in 2021.
The next election is expected in the fall of 2025, but could happen earlier if the federal government falls through a confidence vote or the Prime Minister seeks an earlier vote.
In a statement posted Thursday on X, Mr. Broadhurst wrote he has been thinking, about the physical mental and emotional efforts required during his years in politics, including in five national campaigns.
He wrote that he was especially mindful of the pressures that have been placed on his wife and children, who have made sacrifices to allow him to pursue his work.
“I have come to the conclusion that I cannot ask them to sacrifice another year,” he wrote. “Therefore, with regret, I have decided to step down from the position of National Campaign Director.”
He did not specifically reference the announcement of NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh that he is ending his participation in the supply and confidence agreement with the Liberals that was struck in 2022.
During a news conference Thursday, Mr. Singh acknowledged that the NDP’s exit from the deal will affect the timing of the next election, but also said his party was not looking to vote in a non-confidence effort to oust the government and precipitate an election.
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Mr. Broadhurst said his exit takes effect Sept. 30, but that he will work through a period of transition to help his successor succeed.
He also wrote that he remains committed to the Liberal party, “but it is time to make way for others and to find new ways to help.”
His announcement comes as members of the federal Liberal caucus are gathering in the Vancouver Island city of Nanaimo for a retreat ahead of the resumption of sittings at the House of Commons later this month.
Meanwhile the federal Liberals are running behind the official-opposition Conservatives in public-opinion polling. Despite that research, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has repeatedly said he is intent on leading the Liberals into the next election.
Mr. Broadhurst previously served as a campaign director in 2019. Last year, he left his role as a senior advisor to Mr. Trudeau to lead efforts to prepare the party for the next election campaign.
Asked about Thursday’s development, Jenna Ghassabeh, a press secretary for Mr. Trudeau, cited Mr. Broadhurst’s statement without providing any additional comment.