Trudeau to Shuffle Cabinet Friday Amid Resignation Calls and Rising Discontent

Toronto. Embattled Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will shuffle his Cabinet on Friday.
The prime minister's office confirmed late Thursday that Trudeau will participate in the swearing-in ceremony and chair a meeting with his new Cabinet later Friday.
Trudeau is facing rising discontent over his leadership, and the abrupt departure of his finance minister on Monday could be something he can’t recover from.
A rising number of Liberal lawmakers are calling on Trudeau to resign but new Finance Minister Dominic LeBlanc said Thursday Trudeau has the “full support of his Cabinet."
LeBlanc said he respects the views of Liberal lawmakers who want Trudeau to resign.
“That's a view they are expressing. The prime minister listened carefully when that view was expressed to him,” LeBlanc said. “He listened, in some cases responded to specific things that were raised, and he said he would reflect carefully.”
LeBlanc said the government will remain focused on work and addressing the threat by President-elect Donald Trump to impose a 25 percent tariff on all Canadian products when he is inaugurated next month.
“We shouldn’t be looking inward. We shouldn’t be worrying about ourselves,” LeBlanc said.
LeBlanc said he will meet with Tom Homan, Trump's incoming “border czar," after Christmas to discuss Canada's plan to secure the border as part of a bid to avoid the tariffs.
Trudeau has led the country for nearly a decade, but has become widely unpopular in recent years over a wide range of issues, including the high cost of living and rising inflation.
There is no mechanism for Trudeau’s party to force him out in the short term. He could resign, or his Liberal party could be forced from power by a “no confidence” vote in Parliament that would trigger an election that would very likely favor the opposing Conservative Party.
As rising numbers of Liberal lawmakers called for Trudeau to resign this week, Natural Resources Minister Jonathan Wilkinson said, “We all need to give him a little time to reflect.”
Concerns about Trudeau’s leadership were exacerbated Monday when Chrystia Freeland, Trudeau's finance minister and deputy prime minister, resigned from the Cabinet. Freeland was highly critical of Trudeau’s handling of the economy in the face of steep tariffs threatened by Trump. Shortly before Freeland announced her decision, the housing minister also quit.
Because Trudeau's Liberals don’t hold an outright majority in the Parliament, they have for years depended on the support of the leftist New Democratic Party to pass legislation and stay in power. But that support has all but vanished — the NDP’s leader has called on Trudeau to resign — and that might clear the way for Parliament to vote “no confidence.”
NDP leader Jagmeet Singh, however, would not commit to bringing down the government at the first opportunity in part because Trump could impose crippling tariffs and Parliament might need to respond with tariffs in retaliation.
Parliament is now shut for the holidays until late next month, and a “no confidence” vote could be scheduled sometime thereafter.
“It appears Trudeau will be stepping down, but no one knows exactly when,” said Nelson Wiseman, professor emeritus at the University of Toronto. “The need to fill vacant posts and to relieve some ministers of carrying multiple portfolios is the drive behind the shuffle but it will not boost the Liberal party’s polling numbers; it’s too late in the day for that to happen.”
LeBlanc also said Mark Carney won't be joining Cabinet. Trudeau has been trying to recruit Carney, the former head of the Bank of England and Bank of Canada, to join his government. Carney has long been interested in entering politics and becoming the leader of the Liberal Party.
“Mr. Carney isn't about to become Canada's finance minister in the short term,” LeBlanc said. “The prime minister asked me to start that work and to get ready for a budget in the spring."
Tags: Keywords:Related Articles
'America Is A Melting Pot, Canada Is Mosaic,' Says Next Canadian PM
Mark Carney, 59, replaces Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who announced his resignation in January.Canada, Mexico, and China Retaliate as Trump’s Tariffs Take Effect
“Today the United States launched a trade war against Canada, their closest partner and ally, their closest friend," Trudeau said.Trump Says 25% Tariffs on Mexico And Canada Start Tuesday With 'No Room' For Delay
His comments quickly rattled the US stock market, with the S&P 500 index down 2 percent in Monday afternoon trading.Foreign Leaders Visit Ukraine to Mark 3rd War Anniversary
“In this fight for survival, it is not only the destiny of Ukraine that is at stake. It’s Europe’s destiny,” Ursula von der Leyen wrote.Trump Agrees to Pause Tariffs on Mexico, But Import Taxes Still in Place for Canada and China
A senior Canadian official said Canada was not confident it could avoid the looming tariffs as Mexico did.Trump's Trade War Among Allies Triggers Retaliation from Canada, Mexico
“Now is the time to choose products made right here in Canada,” Trudeau posted Sunday on X. “Check the labels. Let’s do our part."Trump Says Americans Could Feel 'Some Pain' From His New Tariffs
Larry Summers, treasury secretary under President Bill Clinton, said the tariffs were “a self-inflicted wound to the American economy."Trump Puts Tariffs on Canada, Mexico and China, Spurring Trade War as North American Allies Respond
“The actions taken today by the White House split us apart instead of bringing us together,” Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said.Canadian Leaders Say Trump's Talk About Canada Becoming 51st State Isn't Funny Anymore
“He should focus on his own issues in his own country, because he’s got lots of them.”Who Will Replace Justin Trudeau?
Mark Carney, the former head of the Bank of Canada and the Bank of England, emerges as a strong candidate.The Latest
"I Realized I Was Alive": Survivor Speaks After Air India Dreamliner Crash
A lone survivor recounts escaping the Air India crash that killed 241 people. Investigators recover the black box as probe intensifies.Dental Issues Top List in Indonesia’s Mass Health Screenings, Minister Says
Indonesia’s free health check program finds dental issues most common, ahead of hypertension, diabetes, and obesity, health minister says.AVC Nations Cup: Indonesia Defeats Hong Kong, Eyes Top-Five Finish
Indonesia’s women’s volleyball team beat Hong Kong 3-1 at the AVC Nations Cup in Hanoi to advance in the battle for fifth place.Bali, Jakarta Explore $20B Subway Collaboration to Ease Island Traffic
Bali and Jakarta officials met to discuss plans for the island’s first MRT system, with underground tracks proposed to respect local customsEnvironment Minister Demands Cleaner Fuel as Jakarta Ranks Among World’s Most Polluted Cities
Jakarta urges Pertamina to adopt EU-level fuel standards as air pollution worsens and health costs mount amid toxic smog.Most Popular
