OTTAWA - Unhappy legislators from Canada's ruling Liberals on Wednesday vented their frustration in a closed-door meeting with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who they blame for the party's poor poll showing, participants said.

       While Trudeau is in no immediate danger, the encounter is among the most serious political challenges he has faced during his nine years in power. Major parties usually meet on Wednesdays, but the circumstances this time are unusual.

       A smiling Trudeau, who emerged saying the party was "strong and united," insists he will lead the Liberals into the next election, which must be held by the end of October 2025. Public opinion surveys suggest that with him at the helm, the party will lose to the official opposition Conservatives.

       "This is something that I think has been simmering for some time, and it's important for people to get it out," said Immigration Minister Marc Miller, a close Trudeau ally.

       "What was happening there ... is really about MPs telling the prime minister the truth, whether he likes to hear it or not," he told reporters.

       The Canadian Broadcasting Corp said 24 of the party's 153 legislators had signed a letter calling on Trudeau to go.

       Unhappiness with Trudeau bubbled up after the party lost two of its safest parliamentary seats in special elections in June and September. Some legislators are also unhappy with what they complain is the poor state of preparation for the next election.

       Backbench Liberal John McKay said the conversation had been candid. Fellow Liberal Nathaniel Erskine-Smith said Trudeau still had time to turn things around.

       "It's very important that when you have so many colleagues expressing frustration ... that feedback is listened to," he told reporters, saying Trudeau needed to come back to the legislators with a plan.

       There is no mechanism to oust Trudeau. Unlike Australia, where leaders are elected by legislators, Canadian party chiefs are chosen by members at a special convention.

       A Nanos Research poll released on Oct. 15 put the Conservatives on 39% public support, with the Liberals on 23% and the rival left-leaning New Democrats on 21%. Such a result on election day would give the Conservatives a comfortable majority. REUTERS