Most of Jane Philpott's Liberal riding association leadership quits

Most board members of the federalLiberal riding association for Markham-Stouffvillerepresented by MP Jane Philpotthave steppeddown in solidarity with the well-liked formercabinet minister, with the board's secretary sayingshe no longer has "the heart" to back a new candidate.

In an exclusive interview with CBC News,an emotionalLeea Nutson said she and nine other members of the association's 16-member board tenderedtheir resignations following a meeting Monday night.

With a fallfederal election campaign bearing down,Nutson said thattwo board members will be staying on in the interim to assist the campaign of the next Liberal candidate.Three others will continue serving the riding association, while one member's intentions are unknown.

Nutsonsaid that the board members chose to resignindependently and did not offer their resignations as "a protest" against Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. The volunteerssimply"don't have the energy" to support another candidate, she said.

"I have no longer got the heart to run or work on another campaign," Nutson told CBC News from her home in Markham, north of Toronto, today.

"We had a star candidate in Jane."

Turfed from caucus

Philpottwidely considered to be one of the most competent and respected ministers in the Trudeau governmentstepped downfrom cabinet on March 4, saying she had lost "confidence" in the Liberals' handling of the SNC-Lavalin file.

The SNC-Lavalinaffair has engulfed the Liberal government in the weeks since former justice minister and attorney general Jody Wilson-Raybould claimed she'd been placed under inappropriate pressure by senior people in the government to allow SNC-Lavalina special sentencing arrangement that would allow the Quebec-based engineering firm to avoid a trial on bribery charges.

At the time, she remained in the Liberal caucus and said she intended to run in the fall election under the Liberal Party banner.

Nearly a month later, Trudeaubooted her from caucus, saying that trust had been irreparably broken.

Philpott was expelled along with Wilson-Raybould. Both are now back-corner independents.

The prime minister's move came after Wilson-Raybould released a 17-minute audio recording of a Dec. 19 conversation between herself and Michael Wernick, clerk of the Privy Council. Wernick wasn't told he was being recorded.

Several Liberal MPs lashed out at the covert recording, callingit unethical and dishonourable. Trudeaucalledit "unconscionable."

Both former senior ministers have defended the decision. Wilson-Raybould said the prime minister's focus on the secret recording is a "red herring," while Philpott said the focus should be on itscontents.

Philpott challenges expulsion

Philpottis now questioning whether the expulsionprocess was fair.

Today, she rose in the House of Commons on a point of privilege, saying Trudeauviolated her rights and those of Wilson-Raybould when he kicked them out of caucus last week. Philpott told Parliament that caucus had not decided on a procedure for expulsions as required by the Reform Act passed before the 2015 election.

She said that she and Wilson-Raybould aren't sure what rules were followed in removing themand she has asked the Speaker for a ruling.

Meanwhile,the federalLiberal riding association in Vancouver Granville Wilson-Raybould's riding has not indicated if any of its board members will step aside.

The groupthanked the MP for her service last Friday and emphasized its commitment to the Liberal Party.

"At this time, we remain as the duly elected Board of Directors of the Vancouver Granville EDA and in the coming days, we will be talking to the Liberal Party of Canada BC and our supporters to discuss our path forward," read the Facebook post, which has since been taken down.

In a statement, Liberal Party President Suzanne Cowansaid the last several weeks "haveof coursebeen challenging at times" but the party remains "focused on the campaign ahead."

"Together, Liberals are staying focused on supporting the positive progress that Justin Trudeau and our Liberal team have been making to strengthen the middle class, grow an economy that works for everyone, and protect a clean environment," Cowan said.

'Collateral damage'

Nutson saidher own departure from the Markham-StouffvilleLiberal association isn't about the SNC-Lavalincontroversy.

"It's strictly about Jane Philpott," she said, adding she still plans to support Trudeauin the October federal election.

Philpottwas first elected as the MP forMarkham-Stouffvillein 2015. The rookie MP was appointed to the health portfolio in Trudeau's first cabinet.

"The heart has gone out of it. I feel like we are collateral damage in this whole affair," said Nutson.

"I cannot in good consciencework for another candidate."

In Philpott's riding Tuesday, many said they would continue to support her if she raneven as an independent.

"She's been good for the town and she probably stood up for what she thought was right. I think if she were running again here, we'd probably still vote for her," said residentGeorge Sled

Those leaving thefederalLiberal riding association board are among its most senior members. Many worked on Philpott'scampaign in 2015 and those of previous party candidates.

The board is the backbone of the Liberal party inthe Markham-Stouffville riding. The volunteers are key players for a candidate seeking afoothold in the community because they organize campaign rallies, phone banks and door-to-door canvassing.

"The board members that are left are very worthy individuals," said Nutson, adding they're going to have to work fast to find replacements for more than half of the association's leaders.