Front Burner

A Liberal stronghold falls. Is Trudeau next?

The Conservatives have taken a Liberal stronghold riding that the party has held for over three decades. Does that spell doom for leader Justin Trudeau?
Conservative candidate Don Stewart says he's been busy speaking to voters. Stewart wouldn't agree to an interview with CBC News.
Conservative candidate Don Stewart won the riding of Toronto-St. Paul's. (Christian Patry/CBC)

The last time a Conservative won a federal vote in the riding of Toronto-St. Paul's, it was 1988. The Soviet Union was still together. Brian Mulroney was Prime Minister. The territory of Nunavut wouldn't be created for more than a decade.

But on Monday, in a byelection in the riding, the Conservatives took the Liberal stronghold back for the first time in over 30 years. 

Does this spell electoral doom for the Liberals? Where does the party go from here? And despite his insistence that he'll stay on, can Justin Trudeau really remain the party leader? 

John Paul Tasker is a senior reporter with CBC's Parliamentary bureau.

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