Canadian finance minister resigns, delivering setback to Trudeau
Canadian Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland stepped down from Justin Trudeau's cabinet on Monday, accompanied by a sharply critical letter. Read Full Article at RT.com
TroibNews 
Canadian Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland announced her resignation from Justin Trudeau’s cabinet on Monday, issuing a pointed letter that took the prime minister to task for his approach to economic policy and his focus on “costly political gimmicks” amid imminent tariff threats from the US.
In her resignation letter, Freeland indicated that her views diverged from those of Trudeau regarding the appropriate direction for Canada, especially in light of the upcoming Trump administration. President-elect Trump has signaled a potential 25% tariff on products entering the US from both Canada and Mexico.
Freeland emphasized the severity of the situation: “We need to take that threat extremely seriously. That means keeping our fiscal powder dry today, so we have the reserves we may need for a coming tariff war. That means eschewing costly political gimmicks, which we can ill afford and which make Canadians doubt that we recognize the gravity of the moment.”
Her letter critiqued recent government policies, including Trudeau’s suggestion of a two-month sales tax holiday and $175 checks for approximately half of Canadians, which she argued were financially imprudent.
She remarked, “This is a moment of grave challenge. Canadians know when we are working for them, and they equally know when we are focused on ourselves.”
Freeland, who also held the role of deputy prime minister, was supposed to present the autumn economic statement that afternoon. Instead, Karina Gould, the leader of the government in the House of Commons, took the stage to disclose that Canada’s fiscal deficit for the year had reached $43.45 billion—about 50% higher than anticipated.
In the wake of Freeland’s departure, Trudeau appointed Dominic LeBlanc, a longtime ally and current public safety minister, to fill her position. LeBlanc was sworn in later that day and stressed the government's commitment to addressing the cost of living and seeking common ground with Trump.
“It hasn’t been an easy day,” Trudeau remarked to party supporters, though he refrained from detailing his future plans.
Freeland, who has been part of the Liberal government since 2013, expressed her appreciation for her time in office and confirmed her intention to continue collaborating with her colleagues as a Liberal Member of Parliament. She also declared her plans to seek reelection for her Toronto seat in the next federal election, which must occur by October 2025.
This resignation arrives at a challenging juncture for Trudeau, whose approval ratings have dipped due to rising concerns over inflation and immigration. The prime minister is facing increasing pressure to step down from both opposition parties and some within his own party, with calls for him to refrain from seeking a fourth term.
James del Carmen for TROIB News
In her resignation letter, Freeland indicated that her views diverged from those of Trudeau regarding the appropriate direction for Canada, especially in light of the upcoming Trump administration. President-elect Trump has signaled a potential 25% tariff on products entering the US from both Canada and Mexico.
Freeland emphasized the severity of the situation: “We need to take that threat extremely seriously. That means keeping our fiscal powder dry today, so we have the reserves we may need for a coming tariff war. That means eschewing costly political gimmicks, which we can ill afford and which make Canadians doubt that we recognize the gravity of the moment.”
Her letter critiqued recent government policies, including Trudeau’s suggestion of a two-month sales tax holiday and $175 checks for approximately half of Canadians, which she argued were financially imprudent.
She remarked, “This is a moment of grave challenge. Canadians know when we are working for them, and they equally know when we are focused on ourselves.”
Freeland, who also held the role of deputy prime minister, was supposed to present the autumn economic statement that afternoon. Instead, Karina Gould, the leader of the government in the House of Commons, took the stage to disclose that Canada’s fiscal deficit for the year had reached $43.45 billion—about 50% higher than anticipated.
In the wake of Freeland’s departure, Trudeau appointed Dominic LeBlanc, a longtime ally and current public safety minister, to fill her position. LeBlanc was sworn in later that day and stressed the government's commitment to addressing the cost of living and seeking common ground with Trump.
“It hasn’t been an easy day,” Trudeau remarked to party supporters, though he refrained from detailing his future plans.
Freeland, who has been part of the Liberal government since 2013, expressed her appreciation for her time in office and confirmed her intention to continue collaborating with her colleagues as a Liberal Member of Parliament. She also declared her plans to seek reelection for her Toronto seat in the next federal election, which must occur by October 2025.
This resignation arrives at a challenging juncture for Trudeau, whose approval ratings have dipped due to rising concerns over inflation and immigration. The prime minister is facing increasing pressure to step down from both opposition parties and some within his own party, with calls for him to refrain from seeking a fourth term.
James del Carmen for TROIB News
