OTTAWA — Dissenters in the Canadian Alliance caucus are giving Stockwell Day a week to win their confidence in his abilities as leader, but some say nothing will stop some party members from acting on their dissatisfaction.
Day emerged from what some called a “brutal” meeting Wednesday declaring that he has the support of most of his 65 MPs despite open calls for his resignation.
However some MPs said publicly and privately they won’t be fully satisfied until next week, when Day is supposed to arrive at a caucus meeting with his strategy for the party and answers to several concerns raised Wednesday.
Tense MPs headed into the meeting to discuss the open revolt against Day’s leadership this week after some called for him to step down, three senior MPs resigned from their party positions and his chief of staff quit.
Many walked in promising to call for a speedier review of Day’s leadership, now scheduled for next April, or to ask Day to step down for the good of the party.
Day emerged surrounded by supporters appointed as replacements for those who stepped down in protest. “I am profoundly grateful to have the support of the majority of the caucus in terms of my own leadership,” said Day.
