Things got loud and heated in the House of Commons Monday afternoon, hours after Chrystia Freeland resigned as Canada’s finance minister.
In a statement shared on X Monday morning, Freeland said Trudeau had told her last Friday that he no longer wanted her to serve as his finance minister and offered her another position in the cabinet.
She was expected to deliver the Fall Economic Statement, which has been delayed.
“Upon reflection, I have concluded that the only honest and viable path is for me to resign from the cabinet,” she stated. “To be effective, a minister must speak on behalf of the prime minister and with his full confidence. In making your decision, you made clear that I no longer credibly enjoy that confidence and possess the authority that comes with it.”
Canada’s potential inability to tackle Trump’s tariff threats was one of Freeland’s main worries.
The resignation became central to the discussion during the Question Period in Parliament.
“She’s now resigned minutes before presenting her fall economic update. This cannot go on. When will we have a carbon tax election?” asked Conservative Party leader Pierre Poilievre, adding that it was clear that the Liberals no longer trusted their leader. “Who is the finance minister after the finance minister’s resignation this morning?”
Several other CPC members joined Poilievre and, turn by turn, asked Trudeau to resign and call a re-election.
“Team Canada wants the prime minister to take his own advice and do the right thing. Call an election now — let’s bring it home,” Conservative MP Michelle Rempel Garner chimed in.
Election, now. pic.twitter.com/tyi0xzyJYv
— Michelle Rempel Garner (@MichelleRempel) December 16, 2024
“Let Canadians decide — call for a Carbon Tax Election!” added former Conservative Party leader Andrew Scheer.
On Thursday, I asked this question.
By Friday, Trudeau was plotting to dump Freeland.
Today, chaos reigns.
Trudeau’s lost control but clings to power.
Let Canadians decide—call for a Carbon Tax Election!
Have YOUR say: https://t.co/RbH3fJ0eUO pic.twitter.com/O2v1K1Nbea
— Andrew Scheer (@AndrewScheer) December 16, 2024
“Will he resign?”
NDP leader Jagmeet Singh joined the calls for the prime minister to step down.
“Canadians literally cannot afford the groceries they need. They can’t afford to find a home to call their own, and now Trump, buddies of the Conservatives, MAGA — conservatives love this guy — Trump is threatening hundreds of thousands of jobs in Canada, and the prime minister is more focused on himself, on infighting. The prime minister cannot remain in that position. Will he resign?” he asked.
Singh also shared a video address on X.
Today, I am calling on Justin Trudeau to resign.
Liberals are fighting themselves – when Canadians need a Prime Minister who will fight for them. pic.twitter.com/1zebsMovqh
— Jagmeet Singh (@theJagmeetSingh) December 16, 2024
He reiterated the cost of living crisis and the threat of Trump’s 25% tariff.
“Instead of focusing on these issues, Justin Trudeau and the Liberals are focusing on themselves. They’re fighting themselves instead of fighting for Canadians,” he stated. “For that reason, today, I’m calling on Justin Trudeau to resign. He has to go.”
Canadians were shocked to learn about Freeland’s resignation and flooded social media with mixed reactions.
Freeland concluded her resignation letter by saying she’ll continue to work as a Liberal Member of Parliament and is committed to running again for her seat in Toronto in the next federal election.
She became the first female finance minister in 2020 after Bill Morneau resigned.
With files from Isabelle Docto