Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is considering his options after the surprise resignation of Chrystia Freeland on Monday, which amplified calls for her resignation.
Mme Freeland resigned as finance minister on Monday, the same day she was due to present her government’s fall economic statement and just days after Mr. Trudeau told her she would lose her important portfolio.
Mr. Trudeau’s decision seems to have had the opposite effect to that expected: calls for the Prime Minister’s resignation arose, notably from several Liberal MPs, the New Democratic leader, Jagmeet Singh, and the editorial team of the influential daily “Toronto Star”.
During an emergency meeting of the Liberal caucus on Monday evening, Mr. Trudeau promised that he would consider the advice given to him.
A Liberal source familiar with the situation, but who was not authorized to speak publicly about the discussions, confirmed to The Canadian Press that Prime Minister Trudeau was considering the next steps with his entourage. These thoughts include whether he should stay or go.
Mr. Trudeau has canceled his end-of-year media interviews and has yet to publicly discuss Mr.me Freeland.
The Liberal leader has resisted calls for his departure for over a year now, but if the current situation were to make him change his mind, he would have several options, including resigning immediately, or remaining in office until a new leader is chosen.
Both options would likely require a short prorogation of Parliament for a brief leadership race.
Another Liberal source with ties to Mr. Trudeau’s inner circle, but not within government, said the prime minister’s team was trying to find a way forward for him, and called the approach “working from way to affirm that he continues to lead.
“Whatever steps they take now are fraught with pitfalls, because the scrutiny of those decisions will be even more rigorous after what many people see as a mistake,” he added. .
Limit the damage
“Chrystia Freeland’s decision has eroded much of the confidence of caucus members who had complained earlier this fall about the treatment of MPs,” said former Liberal staffer Greg MacEachern.
If he decides to stay, Mr. Trudeau will have to limit the damage within his caucus — some suggest that at least a third of Liberal MPs now want him to leave.
On Wednesday, New Brunswick MP Wayne Long, who was one of the first to call for Mr. Trudeau’s resignation earlier this year, wrote to the entire caucus calling the “mismanagement” “embarrassing.” » of the resignation of Mme Freeland. He criticized “the chaos and insularity within the Prime Minister’s inner circle”.
The House of Commons is now on holiday recess, giving the Prime Minister a few weeks to decide what to do next before MPs return to Ottawa on January 27.
On Tuesday evening, Mr. Trudeau spoke at the national Liberal caucus’ end-of-year party in Ottawa, at which Mr.me Freeland was present. He indirectly referred to Monday’s events, saying the previous days had been eventful.
“It hasn’t been easy, and that’s why I’m so happy to see you,” he said, comparing the Liberals to a “big family.”
“Like most families, we sometimes have arguments during the holidays. But of course, like most families, we find a way to work it out. »
The departure of Mme Freeland came on the same day that Housing Minister Sean Fraser announced he would not run in the next election, citing family reasons.
A senior government official, who was not authorized to discuss the matter publicly, indicated that Toronto MP Nathaniel Erskine-Smith was being considered to replace Mr. Fraser at Housing in an upcoming cabinet shuffle.
Currently, several ministers are working dual jobs, managing multiple ministries, while a series of others have publicly stated they plan not to run again.
New ministers, including the one who will get the crucial role of Public Safety, currently occupied by Dominic LeBlanc, will have to know their portfolio by January 20, the date on which Donald Trump officially becomes president of the United States.
