Liberal MP resigns amid Trudeau’s WE scandal

Levitt's resignation was rather abrupt, and he has announced that he was offered the role of CEO at the Canadian Friends of the Simon Wiesenthal Centre. This has taken the Liberal Party's minority down to 155 seats, according to Blacklock's Reporter.

The opposition party have 121 seats—making this an unusually fragile government.

Although it is unclear when the next election will be held, the Conservatives look certain to push for one as soon as their leadership election is completed in late August.

They will almost certainly require the support of other parties to call this election. This could pose as a challenge to the Tories, as they would have to convince the Bloc Quebecois (who are quite comfortable in their position) and the NDP (who are entirely broke) to support a vote of no confidence.

As a result of Michael Levitt's resignation, a by-election will be triggered. This will most likely happen by February 28, 2021.

By-elections are illuminating as it gives voters an opportunity to judge the government outside of an election; serving as an effective litmus test of wider public sentiment.

With the recent WE scandal, Trudeau may be concerned that the Conservative Party could win a seat in the GTA. This will also be the first opportunity for Elections Canada to run an election after the coronavirus outbreak.