In a big political surprise, Chrystia Freeland, Canada’s Finance Minister and Deputy Prime Minister, stepped down from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s Cabinet on Monday. She mentioned that she could no longer agree with the government’s plan for handling U.S. President-elect Donald Trump’s threats of new tariffs. Her resignation has caused more chaos within Trudeau’s Liberal Party, as almost 60 out of 153 MPs are asking for new leadership.
Freeland is the first important Cabinet member to quit, raising questions about Trudeau’s control. She turned down Trudeau’s offer to move her to a different position, stating, “I feel the only honest choice is to resign.”
Party Struggles and Opposition Calls for Change
The Liberal Party is deeply divided now, with about one-third of its MPs wanting Trudeau to resign. Jagmeet Singh, who leads the New Democratic Party (NDP) that has been supporting Trudeau, also asked him to step down. The Conservative Party, the main opposition, hasn’t directly called for Trudeau to resign but is eager for an election.
Trudeau wants to lead the Liberals in the next election, but many party members doubt his chances of winning again. An election must happen before October, but if the NDP withdraws support, an election could be called sooner.
Freeland’s Concerns About Tariffs
In her resignation letter, Freeland pointed to big disagreements with Trudeau’s plans, especially over how to deal with Trump’s proposed 25% tariffs on Canadian goods. She warned that Canada was facing a serious threat and stressed the need to prepare for possible economic troubles. Freeland criticized government plans like tax holidays and cash rebates, saying they were too expensive.
What’s Next for Trudeau and His Party?
Trudeau has named Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc as Freeland’s replacement. LeBlanc will focus on addressing rising living costs and building a positive relationship with the new U.S. government. Trudeau admitted it’s a tough time for him and his party.
The Liberal Party is still divided. MP Chad Collins noted, “Many of our members want a leader change, including me.” Analysts have called Freeland’s resignation a “political earthquake” that could shake Trudeau’s minority government.
Trudeau’s Leadership Under Threat
Trudeau, who became Prime Minister in 2015 with promises of progressive change, is now struggling with lower public support due to rising costs and immigration issues. His successes, like legalizing cannabis and introducing a carbon tax, are being overshadowed by growing economic problems.
Freeland’s resignation marks a significant moment for the future of Trudeau’s leadership, leading to talk about possible new leaders, including former Bank of Canada Governor Mark Carney.
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