Conservative breakthrough in Toronto seen as message to Trudeau, Liberals

Don Stewart felt the momentum addressing supporters even before the votes had flipped in his favor. I don't think this is the speech anybody thought I'd be making tonight. I didn't think so. I don't think our our opponents thought so. The Conservatives pulling off a stunning win, turning Toronto St. Paul's blue for the first time in more than 30 years and breaking through the red Liberal fortress in urban Toronto. Voters sending a strong message to that party and its leader. People, generally speaking, are tire of the true administration. It's time for a change in Canada. I think it could be a sign of what's to come. The Prime Minister says he hears people's concerns. This was obviously not the result we wanted, but didn't signal he's considering stepping aside. Despite voters frustrations. It's clear that I and my entire Liberal team have much more work to do to deliver tangible, real progress. But some say this by election confirms what the polls have shown for months, that the Liberals are in deep trouble and it's because of Justin Trudeau. I think voters have decided how they feel about the Prime Minister, and once people have a negative view of you, of anything, it's very hard to change their minds, especially if the person they don't really like is the one trying to convince them otherwise. Publicly, members of his caucus are standing behind him. The Prime Minister is committed to leading us into the next election and he has our support. Nice to meet you both. This Toronto area MP says Trudeau will need to decide on his next steps. He'll have to re evaluate and and look at the results of last night's by election and and do some reflecting but that's up to him. But privately there's a different tone. Some Liberal MPs tell CBC News it's time for major change in the party and even new leadership. Ashley Burke, CBC News, Ottawa All right, so let's bring in chief political correspondent Rosemary Barton. So, Rosie, the polls show this by election would be a challenge for the Liberals, but I don't think like this. No, for sure not Adrian. It's not just that the Conservatives won last night. It's that even the Conservatives didn't think they were going to win. And that seems to suggest there's something bigger happening on the political landscape than than even the parties can evaluate. And the reason this cut so deep for the Liberals is because this is no longer about terrible polls, which they've been dealing with. This is about a terrible result coming directly from voters in a place where Liberals win. These voters want to change. And the question is, after nine years in office, can this government offer anything to convince Canadians to stick with them? So you and I spoke last night about the stakes for the Prime Minister. What are you hearing today? Listen, we, our Bureau talked to many different Liberal MPs on background today and the views really run the gamut from disappointment to we need some big change to it's time for the Prime Minister to leave. There isn't, however, any real sense of urgency here from caucus, at least at this stage that that we can detect. And certainly those around the Prime Minister are saying no one needs to be in panic mode. The next election is 16 months away. Many things could happen between now and then, a lower interest rate, better economy, an American election. What's not clear today is whether MPs, Liberal MPs, will just wait and hope for things to improve under the same leader. All right, Rosie Barton, thank you. Thanks, Adrian.