Trudeau Faces Political Crisis: Deputy PM Resigns, NDP Backs No-Confidence, Opposition Demands Early Election

Dec 20, 2024, 08:14 PM

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is facing a significant political crisis as calls for his resignation grow within his own Liberal Party and from opposition leaders. Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland resigned on Monday, exacerbating instability within the government. Trudeau conducted a Cabinet shuffle, bringing in eight new ministers, but left key positions, including Finance Minister Dominic Leblanc, unchanged. At least nineteen Liberal MPs, including Chandra Arya who suggested Freeland as a replacement, have publicly urged Trudeau to step down. New Democratic Party (NDP) Leader Jagmeet Singh declared that 'time is up' and announced his party will propose a no-confidence motion against the Liberal government when Parliament reconvenes on January 27, 2025. Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre called for an immediate recall of Parliament to hold a non-confidence vote, writing to the Governor General and stating, 'This cannot go on.' Poilievre accused Singh of delaying the vote to secure his pension, as MPs qualify for pensions after six years of service. Trudeau's approval ratings have dropped to around 30 percent, with polls indicating that most Canadians now desire an early election. The united front of opposition parties against Trudeau places his minority government in jeopardy.