Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is under pressure after his finance minister resigned and the 2025 autumn economic update was delayed. Kathy Brock, a Queen's University professor, was disappointed that Trudeau wasn't in the seat for a significant part of the House of Commons debate.
According to Brock, Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland's resignation today indicates that tensions are rising inside the Liberal cabinet.
Queen’s University Professor Statements
Kathy Brock said:
“I'm sad for Canada as a political scientist. Indeed, he is in a crisis, yet this prime minister has gone against expectations. First, since the House of Commons is the lawmaker representing Canada, he must make a significant statement there. He could have taken it on the chin today, which would have given the government a boost of trust.”
She stated:
“It reveals how severe conflicts have grown between the finance and prime minister. There were some conflicts in that relationship during the summer. But it is now evident that the Trudeau administration's efforts to win over Canadians with the GST tax holiday and the planned $250 support are causing major issues for the finance minister. He is attempting to maintain order given the possibility of a significant economic challenge from the United States after January 20.”
Brock continued, "The Prime Minister must take the risk, and the government must acknowledge that the situation with the United States is now different."
Chrystia Freeland Negotiator
One stage in presenting a united front is meeting with the province premiers, but Brock said it was instructive that Freeland had not been asked to Mar-a-Lago to meet with Donald Trump after the U.S. election.
"Chrystia Freeland is the most qualified negotiator with Trump; she knows what to predict," Brock stated, saying that not letting her go is a sign that they have become disconnected.
According to Brock, Freeland usually makes an effort to keep her word as a politician. Therefore, it undervalues her strength if the prime minister decides to change her position instead of keeping her as finance minister.
"She expressed the prime minister's lack of confidence in her, which was reasonable for her in that situation," Brock added. "What portfolio he was transferring her to is unknown to us."
It would seem to follow the sequence of other women being shifted around if he was putting her in a position that didn't match her qualifications, as with former treasury board president Jane Philpott.
"Trudeau is unable to maintain the support of strong women, and it may be extremely unpleasant when they turn against him. It surprises me that he didn't expect her to turn down the job.” In the House of Commons, NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh did enquire about Trudeau's resignation, but Singh did not commit to remove him.
One choice is to prorogue the government, which would start again and create a strategy for the future, even though it doesn't mean an election.
"It's a difficult decision for him because the Liberals would be entering an election at a low point in their history."