Chrystia Freeland's resignation from cabinet leaves Toronto constituents stunned

The shock in Ottawa over Finance Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland's sudden resignation from cabinet is being felt in her Toronto riding too, where residents say it seems indicative of the prime minister's shrinking popularity. 

Freeland announced her resignation in a letter written to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau posted to social media just hours before she was set to deliver the government's fall economic statement.

Residents in Freeland's Toronto riding of University-Rosedale, where she plans to stay on as a Liberal MP, said they were disappointed by the development. 

John Young, who's lived in the area for about three years, said he thought Freeland was "the best person in the cabinet."

"It is a shame," he said, adding he thinks Trudeau should resign. 

"I think he's gone way past where he should have been." 

It's a sentiment shared by other residents who CBC Toronto spoke with in Freeland's riding Monday afternoon. 

"I think he's done a lot of great things as prime minister but yeah, I have a feeling we're going to a vote of non-confidence," said Terri Favro. 

"His [Trudeau's] popularity has sunk so it doesn't surprise me at all. I think everybody's abandoning ship, basically," said Lorne Wise, who said he's lived in the riding for close to a decade. 

Wise said Freeland seems to be well-liked in her constituency. 

"I know people who really, really, really like her. I think she's got a following so maybe she has more ambitions." 

Premier suggests resignation comes at bad time 

Ontario Premier Doug Ford was asked if he was concerned about Freeland's resignation during a meeting of Canada's premiers in Toronto to discuss Donald Trump's threat to impose steep tariffs on Canadian exports. 

"I think we all are, but again this is a time for the premiers to step up — which we're going to and project unity across the country," he told reporters. 

Later in the day, Ford said Freeland's unexpected resignation comes at a time when the country needs to project strength in the face of Trump's threat. 

"It is chaos right now. It is chaos," he said.  

"It is time that we step up and we will make sure that we tell the world his that there is stability here."

WATCH | Premier Doug Ford reacts to Freeland's resignation: 

People in Freeland's Toronto riding say they support her resignation from cabinet

4 days ago

Duration 3:21

People who spoke to CBC News in Chrystia Freeland's riding of University-Rosedale in Toronto say they were surprised to hear that she'd resigned from cabinet, but that it was the right move to make.

Ford said he spoke with Freeland Monday morning and thanked her for work. 

"We have a good relationship with her, I want to wish her all the best." 

In her letter to Trudeau, Freeland said that Canada "faces a grave challenge" in the wake of Trump's threat, and signalled she doesn't think Canada is on a prudent economic path under Trudeau's leadership. 

Her resignation is the latest challenge for the Liberals, which lost a longtime federal stronghold of Toronto-St. Paul's to Conservative Don Stewart in June. It was the first time a Conservative candidate captured a seat in urban Toronto since the 2011 federal election. 

Freeland's announcement also came just moments after Housing Minister Sean Fraser revealed he won't seek re-election. 

Asked about Freeland's departure from cabinet as well as Fraser's announcement, Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow said she hopes the city can have a "continued partnership" with whoever replaces them. 

"That's what the city needs and that's what the people of Toronto need."