Pressure Mounts on Trudeau as Resignation Calls Grow Following Ministerial Departures
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is facing mounting pressure to resign amid increasing criticism from within his own Liberal Party, following the abrupt resignation of his top minister and criticism of his handling of the national budget. Trudeau, who has led Canada for nearly a decade, is struggling with declining popularity due to rising inflation and the high cost of living, sparking discontent among both the public and lawmakers. While there is no immediate mechanism to force Trudeau from office, the growing number of Liberal MPs calling for his resignation signals a potential leadership crisis. Trudeau could step down voluntarily, or his government could face a “no confidence” vote in Parliament, which would likely result in an election and could favor the Conservative Party. However, if the Liberal Party survives such a vote, Trudeau may choose to remain as prime minister until the next scheduled election. Minister of Natural Resources Jonathan Wilkinson called for patience, stating that Trudeau needs “a little time to reflect,” but the ongoing defections from his Cabinet, including former Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland, who criticized Trudeau’s economic management, have fueled the calls for his resignation. The country’s housing minister also resigned, further signaling cracks within the Liberal leadership. Political analysts suggest that if Trudeau does step down, the Liberal Party would need to choose an interim leader. Potential candidates for the role include Mark Carney, former head of the Bank of Canada and the Bank of England, who has expressed interest in entering politics, and Dominic LeBlanc, the current finance minister and Trudeau’s close ally. As discontent grows, Canadian historian Robert Bothwell warned that if more ministers leave, Trudeau’s position could become untenable, and his government could be forced out by a “no confidence” vote, triggering an early election.