London MPs say the prime minister's decision to step down is the right one

London North West Liberal MP Peter Fragiskatos made his thoughts clear on Justin Trudeau’s leadership over the weekend, "I did call for the prime minister to resign for a number of reasons. His continued leadership was not tenable."

Fragiskatos was first elected in his riding in 2015, the year Trudeau led the liberals to a majority government. He considers Trudeau a consequential prime minister and believes the Liberal government delivered important social programs that help many Canadians, starting with the Canada Child Benefit, "Close to 20,000 kids in our community, in this riding specifically but beyond that, that Canada Child Benefit goes to any number of needs in a household."

The breaking point for Fragiskatos was Chrystia Freeland’s resignation from cabinet.

London North Centre MP Peter Fragiskatos called for Trudeau's resignation over the weekend (Daryl Newcombe/CTV News London)

As finance minister, Freeland opposed a two-month GST and HST hiatus for various grocery items. She also questioned a general 250-dollar rebate for almost 19 million Canadians.

The combined programs would deplete government revenues by over six billion dollars. Fragiskatos felt there were bigger priorities, "We should be ready from a fiscal perspective to deal with the potential of the Trump tariffs, which would be devastating for our economy. And so, what I take from that is that we have to have the finances in place to prepare an emergency program to help businesses that are impacted - and make no mistake, there will be thousands upon thousands of businesses that are impacted."

According to London Fanshawe NDP MP Lindsay Mathyssen, "it's not the right time.”

London Fanshawe NDP MP Lindsay Mathyssen believes Trudeau has made Canada vulnerable with the timing of his resignation (CTV News London)

She told CTV News that Trudeau held on too long, “You know, Liberals do what what's best for Liberals. And they're doing it again right now."

She says that has made Canada vulnerable to a new Trump presidency, "People are worried. They're worried about those tariffs. They're worried about what this means. They're worried about the offhanded jokes that he takes at the expense of Canadians, of being the 51st State. I mean, we do need a strong voice that stands up to a bully."

Both Mathyssen and Fragiskatos say they're ready to launch into an election campaign even as polls show the Conservatives under leader Pierre Poilievre as heavy favorites. Fragiskatos says a leadership race will help rejuvenate his party, but he's not ready to endorse a prospective candidate yet, "I'm in listening mode on that."