Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is downplaying the significance of Chrystia Freeland’s resignation from cabinet and subsequent calls for his own resignation, comparing the episode to a family squabble during the holidays.
A seemingly cheerful Trudeau addressed the crowd at the national Liberal caucus’ holiday party in Ottawa Dec. 17, making light of the turmoil that erupted after Freeland’s exit from cabinet, as well as Housing Minister Sean Fraser’s resignation the same day.
“It has been an eventful couple of days. It has not been easy,” he said. “Like most families, we sometimes have fights over the holidays and sometimes, like most families, we work our way through it.”
The off-hand reference to the exit of his deputy prime minister was the first time Trudeau has commented publicly about Freeland, although he did not mention her by name.
He also did not address whether he will remain party leader amid calls for him to step down since Freeland published a scathing resignation letter to social media on Dec. 16 that criticized his policies.
The letter accused Trudeau of prioritizing “costly political gimmicks” over addressing U.S. President-elect Donald Trump’s threat to slap a 25 percent tariff on all goods from Canada unless the country tightens border security to prevent the flow of migrants and illegal drugs into the United States.
Several MPs have called for Trudeau to step down amid the furor of Freeland’s exit from cabinet. The prime minister gave no hint that he is considering doing so during his Dec. 17 speech.
Trudeau received applause and cheers as he took to the stage and delivered a speech that centred around the contributions of party members behind the scenes. He then changed course to criticize the Bloc Québécois and the Conservatives.
He accused the Bloc of “looking for conflict” rather than focusing on what is best for the country.
“They’re disconnected from the priorities of those in Quebec,” Trudeau said, adding that the party has not supported Liberal housing, dental, and environmental initiatives, characterizing them as being “priorities” for Quebec residents.
“The Bloc has voted against record investments to protect and promote French,” he said “But as we all know, French people outside of Quebec, the Bloc doesn’t care about them.”
Trudeau next took aim at Conservatives and their leader Pierre Poilievre, labelling him a “Grinch.”
“Call me old fashioned, but I remember when Conservative stood for protecting our institutions instead of trying to tear them down,” he said. “I mean, just look at their current Grinch, I mean leader, his slogans are all about cutting taxes, but put an actual tax cut on the table, and he votes against it.”
Calls for Election
Both Poilievre and Bloc Québécois Leader Yves-François Blanchet have called for an election “as soon as possible.”Poilievre called on NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh to stop supporting the government in the House of Commons and help the Conservatives remove the “chaotic Liberal clown show” from power.
Poilievre said during a Dec. 17 press conference that Canada needs a new prime minister because Trump can “spot weakness from a mile away” and the current administration is not only weak but “chaotic.”
He said the Liberal government should be focused on addressing the incoming U.S. administration’s threat to impose 25 percent tariffs rather than squabbling among themselves.
“What an embarrassment to all Canadians,” he said.
Blanchet told reporters Dec. 17 the election should happen as soon as possible in the new year because it’s “logical” for Canadians to not want a campaign over the holiday season.
Canada’s parliament is now on a break until Jan. 27.
