GAME-CHANGER

Liberals' surprise loss in Toronto-St. Paul's byelection puts PM in a tough spot-and creates a new problem for Pierre Poilievre

- SUSAN DELACOURT

Pierre Poilievre and his Conservatives went into Monday's byelection in Toronto-St. Paul's claiming that the odds were against them in this midtown riding.

So much for that: Don Stewart is the newest member of Poilievre's caucus.

Now, with the victory in what has been a stronghold for the Liberals - solid red for the last 31 years - it is going to be harder for the Conservatives to claim they're underdogs whenever the next election rolls around.

That is going to be a whole different exercise in expectation management.

First though, it has to be said that the loss of Toronto-St. Paul's is a large one for Justin Trudeau and the Liberals. They know what many past Liberal voters were saying at the doors that they couldn't vote for candidate Leslie Church because they are keen to see Trudeau leave.

Whether they obtain that wish soon or after the 2025 election is going to be the question of the summer. It's said that only Trudeau can ultimately make that decision that no one is going to force him out.

The prime minister himself said in a CBC interview just last week that Canadians aren't in "decision mode" right now. Well, the voters of Toronto-St. Paul's were on Monday night and the decision looks clear. Trudeau has some hard thinking to do in the days and weeks ahead.