MP Anthony Housefather to stay on with Liberals

Anthony-Housefather. Liberal MP Anthony Housefather has announced his decision to remain within Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s caucus despite recent controversies surrounding a motion on recognizing Palestinian statehood. In a statement released on Friday, Housefather emphasized that his core values align with those of the Liberal Party, and he believes his greatest value to Canadians lies in continuing to advocate within the caucus.

After weeks of contemplation and discussions with constituents and Canadians from various backgrounds, Housefather concluded that staying in the Liberal caucus was the best course of action for him. He acknowledged the difficulty of his decision, recognizing that it would inevitably disappoint some constituents while garnering support from others.

The motion regarding recognizing Palestinian statehood, initially proposed by the NDP, underwent significant changes during debate in the House of Commons. While the Liberals amended the motion to focus on working towards a two-state solution, the process sparked criticism from both pro-Israel and pro-Palestinian groups. Housefather was one of three Liberal MPs who voted against the modified version of the motion.

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Housefather had previously expressed feeling isolated within caucus following the endorsement of the motion, prompting him to reflect on his position. Despite considering options such as crossing the floor to join the Conservative Party, he ultimately decided to remain with the Liberals after careful consideration.

Acknowledging the importance of addressing antisemitism in Canada, Housefather stated that he had engaged in extensive discussions with Prime Minister Trudeau on the matter. Trudeau has reportedly tasked Housefather with leading efforts to combat antisemitism alongside Canada’s special envoy on the issue.

In reaffirming his commitment to the Liberal Party, Housefather expressed his intention to advocate for centrist classical Liberal values within caucus moving forward.