Canada PM Trudeau reflecting on criticism amid leadership crisis, says ally | U.S. & World [Video]

By David Ljunggren

OTTAWA (Reuters) -Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is reflecting on complaints by legislators from the ruling Liberal Party who are unhappy that Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland quit, a close ally said on Tuesday.

Separately, one Liberal parliamentarian said Trudeau was “delusional” if he thought he could fight the next election, which is due by Oct. 20 next year. Polls show the Liberals would be crushed by the official opposition Conservatives.

Freeland resigned on Monday amid a policy clash and released a letter savaging Trudeau’s leadership, prompting one of the worst crises since he became prime minister in 2015.

Hours later, Trudeau held a special meeting with his parliamentary caucus, which already is unhappy over the party’s poor performance in the polls.

“He did say to caucus that he had heard very clearly, and listened carefully, to their concerns and he would reflect on it,” new Finance Minister Dominic LeBlanc told …