Chicago – December 17, 2024
Canada’s Finance Minister, Chrystia Freeland, resigned abruptly on Monday, leaving Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s government in a difficult situation.
This comes just weeks before President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration, who has threatened severe tariffs on Canadian exports. Freeland resigned after Trudeau offered her a less important role, citing concerns that the government’s planned increased spending could weaken Canada’s ability to handle the impact of Trump’s potential tariffs.
Freeland had been leading efforts to manage Canada-U.S. relations, working with provincial leaders to ensure a united response.
Following her resignation, Ontario Premier Doug Ford described the situation as “chaos,” and Alberta Premier Danielle Smith criticized the lack of communication during a call among provincial leaders. Smith also suggested that a national election might be needed to restore stability.
The resignation comes at a time when the ruling Liberal Party is struggling in the polls, and many members are pressuring Trudeau to step down. With Trump’s inauguration just days away, former foreign policy advisor Roland Paris warned that Canada needs strong leadership to face the challenges ahead.
