Calls for Justin Trudeau’s resignation have intensified as Jagmeet Singh, leader of Canada’s New Democratic Party, joined the movement following Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland’s unexpected resignation.
Singh highlighted the significant cost of living challenges facing Canadians and the threat of a 25% tariff from US President-elect Donald Trump as reasons for Trudeau to step down. He stated, “Today, I am calling on Justin Trudeau to resign.
The Liberals are divided when Canadians need a Prime Minister who will advocate for them.” Singh’s demand came shortly after Freeland’s resignation, which stemmed from a disagreement over how to handle Trump’s tariff threats.
Now, about one-third of the Liberal Party’s MPs are also calling for a change in leadership, exacerbating the political crisis in Canada. Reports suggest that Trudeau has not yet decided to resign, despite nearly 60 out of 153 Liberal MPs in the House of Commons opposing him.
Freeland’s departure as Finance Minister marked a significant breach within Trudeau’s cabinet, jeopardizing his authority. Currently, Trudeau is trailing Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre by 20 points in the polls, as Poilievre has been pushing for a snap election since September.
In her resignation letter, Freeland referred to a “grave challenge” for Canada, highlighting Trump’s proposed tariffs on Canadian goods.
She mentioned that she and Trudeau had differing views on how to move forward. Freeland, who had played a crucial role in Trudeau’s administration managing trade and foreign relations, ultimately felt that resigning was the only feasible option after Trudeau suggested a cabinet reshuffle.
She cautioned of the serious implications of Trump’s tariff threats, warning that it could ignite a “tariff war” with the US and urged the government to exercise fiscal prudence.
