Amidst a growing crisis within Canada's government, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is reportedly contemplating resignation after the departure of key minister Chrystia Freeland.
The Daily Mail reported that the instability within Trudeau's cabinet, highlighted by Freeland’s resignation over financial disagreements, has exacerbated calls for Trudeau's departure.
Chrystia Freeland, who held the dual roles of Finance Minister and Deputy Prime Minister, resigned this Monday following serious disagreements with Prime Minister Trudeau.
The core of their dispute centered on how to handle the looming threat of substantial U.S. import tariffs announced by President-elect Donald Trump.
Freeland, in her resignation letter, expressed concern over Trudeau's proposal for increased governmental spending, which she criticized as a political maneuver insufficient for the economic challenges posed by the impending 25% U.S. tariffs.
She advocated for a more conservative fiscal approach, emphasizing the need to conserve financial resources in anticipation of economic tensions with the U.S.
Jagmeet Singh, the leader of the New Democratic Party, has been vocal in his criticism of Trudeau, directly calling for his resignation to restore stability and direction within the government. "I'm calling on Justin Trudeau to resign. He has to go," Singh stated, highlighting the urgency felt by some within Canadian politics.
Similarly, Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre has attacked the Liberal government's capabilities, pointing to the ongoing cabinet crisis as evidence of a government losing grip on effective leadership.
"We cannot accept this kind of chaos, division, weakness, while we're staring down the barrel of a 25% tariff from our biggest trading partner," Poilievre argued, emphasizing the serious implications of internal governmental discord amidst external economic threats.
In addition to Freeland, six other ministers have either resigned or declared they will not seek re-election, signaling widespread dissent and instability within Trudeau's administration. This collective discontent among senior cabinet members points to deep-seated issues that might influence Trudeau's decision to step down.
Reports indicate that Trudeau’s suggestion to demote Freeland from her finance portfolio to a lesser role was the final strain on their relationship. According to Freeland’s letter, Trudeau proposed making her a minister without a portfolio focusing on Canada-U.S. relations, a move she felt would strip her of significant authority.
"On Friday, you told me you no longer want me to serve as your Finance Minister and offered me another position in the Cabinet... you made clear that I no longer credibly enjoy that confidence and possess the authority that comes with it," Freeland wrote, expressing her disillusionment with the offered role and her consequent decision to step down.
The immediate response from other cabinet members has been one of shock and contemplation. Anita Anand, president of the Treasury Board, remarked on the gravity of the situation, saying, "This news has hit me really hard and I'll reserve further comment until I have time to process it," reflecting a sentiment of uncertainty prevalent among Trudeau’s team.
The ongoing crisis puts Trudeau at risk of a no-confidence vote, potentially ousting him from office.
However, such a vote could not be held until late January at the earliest, according to procedural rules within the Canadian government. This delay provides some breathing room, but also a tense period where Trudeau will need to muster support within his party and the broader parliament to survive politically.
Before entering politics, Freeland was a prominent journalist and an influential figure in the renegotiation of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) in 2017, following critical reviews from Donald Trump.
Her departure removes a critical economic strategist from Trudeau's team at a time when such expertise is desperately needed.
The possibility remains that Trudeau might step down voluntarily before facing a possible no-confidence vote, as pressure mounts not only from the opposition but increasingly from within his party.