MONTREAL — Liberal MP Steven Guilbeault's recent resignation from Prime Minister Mark Carney's cabinet has drawn sharp criticism from several candidates competing to lead the New Democratic Party (NDP). Guilbeault announced he would step down as minister of Canadian identity and culture but will remain the Liberal MP for Laurier—Sainte-Marie in Montreal.

Edmonton MP Heather McPherson expressed skepticism about Guilbeault's commitment to his principles. "Mr. Guilbeault quit cabinet but he did not quit the (Liberal) party and he did not quit the caucus. If he really believed this was a fundamental problem for him, why didn’t he walk away?" she said. McPherson added, "This just means he’s not interested in doing the work."

When asked if Guilbeault would be welcomed into the NDP, McPherson was clear. "I’m quite proud to say that the New Democratic Party does not accept floor-crossers," she stated.

Filmmaker Avi Lewis also rejected the idea of Guilbeault joining the NDP, responding with a firm "NO!"

Rob Ashton, a union leader and former dockworker, criticized the voters in Guilbeault's riding for not selecting NDP candidate Nima Machouf in the April election. "Nima would have been fighting for her community. Nima wouldn’t have quit, because Nima’s not a quitter, she’s a fighter," Ashton remarked.

In contrast, Tony McQuail, an organic farmer and self-identified "green progressive," expressed enthusiasm for Guilbeault's potential inclusion in the NDP. "Yes! Yesterday!" he exclaimed when asked if he would welcome Guilbeault into the party.

Tanille Johnston, a local official from Vancouver Island, acknowledged the presence of discontented Liberal MPs in British Columbia but suggested the NDP should seek candidates elsewhere. "We just really take a lot of pride in our environment in B.C., and I’m not so sure that reaching out to kind of disenchanted Liberals — because the prime minister decided to sign a (memorandum of understanding) for a pipeline — if they needed to go that far to finally realize ‘maybe this isn’t the party for me’, I’m not so sure that that’s where our relationship should start with the NDP in B.C.," Johnston said.

In the days leading up to Guilbeault's announcement, several members of the Liberal caucus from British Columbia publicly opposed reversing the Trudeau-era ban on oil tanker traffic along the West Coast. The next NDP leadership debate is scheduled to take place in the B.C. Lower Mainland in February.