Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau admits the possibility of his resignation following the decision of Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland to step down.
Freeland resigned because of disagreements with Prime Minister Trudeau. She announced this in a letter published on social network X. Freeland wrote:
“Upon reflection, I have concluded that the only honest and viable path is for me to resign from the Cabinet. You have made it clear by your decision that I no longer have that trust.”
She linked her disagreement with Trudeau to US President-elect Donald Trump’s threats to impose 25 per cent tariffs on Canada.
Freeland’s departure again raises questions about the prime minister’s viability as a leader and his ability to make decisions.
Pierre Poilievre, leader of Canada’s opposition Conservative Party, said the cabinet is “out of control.” He lso said the deputy prime minister’s resignation comes at “the worst possible time” as Canada faces a number of economic challenges.
Poilievre believes Freeland knows “better than anyone” that Trudeau is “out of control.” He called on New Democratic Party leader Jagmeet Singh to help him send the Trudeau government out of office through a vote of no confidence. Singh also believes Trudeau should resign. In addition, several MPs from the Liberal Party, of which the prime minister is the leader, have called on him to step down.
Trudeau has been Canada’s prime minister since 2015. The Conservatives have already tried to declare a vote of no confidence in his cabinet in September and October, but both attempts failed. In December, the House of Commons (lower house of parliament) refused for the third time to pass a vote of no confidence in the prime minister.
Trump has threatened to impose tariffs of 25 per cent on Canadian goods due to an influx of migrants amid weak border controls and a trade deficit. Because of the threats, Trudeau travelled to meet with the future White House chief of staff at his Mar-a-Lago residence in November. The Canadian PM said that the introduction of tariffs could destroy the country’s economy.
Trump responded, “So your country can’t survive without robbing the United States of $100 billion?” The president-elect jokingly suggested Canada become the 51st state of the United States and Trudeau become governor if the 25 per cent duties “kill” the Canadian economy.
