Chrystia Freeland's unexpected resignation sparks stunned reactions from all sides
Freeland said PM Trudeau told her Friday she would no longer be serving as finance minister
Chrystia Freeland's resignation as finance minister and deputy prime minister sent shock waves through Ottawa on Monday.
"Chrystia Freeland is a good friend, someone I work with very closely … This news has hit me really hard," Transport Minister and Treasury Board President Anita Anand said on her way into a cabinet meeting.
Freeland announced her resignation in a letter written to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau that she posted to social media. In that letter, Freeland said Trudeau told her last week that she would be moved out of the finance portfolio and offered her a different cabinet position.
"Upon reflection, I have concluded that the only honest and viable path is for me to resign from the Cabinet," she wrote.
Dominic LeBlanc, tapped by Trudeau to replace Freeland as finance minister, said he considers his predecessor a friend.
"Chrystia Freeland is somebody I have worked with for well over a decade. She's somebody that I admire as a colleague, that I appreciate as a friend," he told reporters on Monday evening.
"I'm proud of her record as minister of finance. She's contributed to the public policy life of our country in an exemplary way."
The news seemed to catch Housing Minister Sean Fraser off guard Monday morning when he was asked about it during a press conference announcing his own resignation from cabinet.
"This is news to me," he said. Fraser served as Freeland's parliamentary secretary before being named to cabinet.
"Not knowing her own take on the reasons behind that decision makes it very difficult for me to assess what it may mean," he said.
"But my sense is she's been an excellent team member to work alongside and I continue to consider her a friend."
Indigenous Services Minister Patty Hajdu said she respected Freeland's decision to step down.
"I wish her all the best. Look, these are difficult and deeply personal decisions and obviously she's made that decision and I respect her for it," Hajdu told reporters Monday morning.
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre called for a federal election Monday, arguing that Freeland's resignation is a sign that Trudeau has "lost control."
"The Canadian people deserve to choose who should be their next prime minister," Poilievre told reporters.
The news seemed to catch the Conservatives by surprise. Poilievre was set to hold a press conference Monday morning but it was postponed until the afternoon.
Freeland's resignation came as the federal government was set to table a highly anticipated fall economic statement.
Poilievre said the government should still table the economic statement on Monday and allow it to go to a vote.
"The answer is just for them to table [the fall economic statement] and let's vote … It would be a confidence motion," he said.
Bloc Québécois Leader Yves-François Blanchet also called for an election and said Trudeau should ask the Governor General to dissolve Parliament in the new year.
"Mr. Trudeau's government is over. He must acknowledge that and act accordingly," he said.
NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh told reporters that Trudeau needed to resign. But when pressed he wouldn't say if he is willing to vote to bring down the Liberal government and repeatedly said "all options are on the table."
"Justin Trudeau has to go, he has to resign and because of that all options are on the table," Singh said.
"We'll look at each vote and we'll make a decision, but now all options are on the table."
Freeland's resignation also comes as Canada prepares for Donald Trump's return to the White House. Trump has threatened to hit Canada with steep tariffs on his first day back in office and Freeland was helping craft the federal government's potential response.
Canada's premiers met Monday to discuss Trump's tariff threat. Ontario Premier Doug Ford was asked if he was concerned about Freeland's resignation.
"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.
When asked about the timing of Freeland's resignation, NDP MP Charlie Angus didn't mince words.
"What the f--k? How does a prime minister, on the eve of a statement that we've been waiting for for months, deep-six his finance minister and think that things are going to be normal?" Angus said.
"We've got a prime minister missing in action and now his deputy prime minister, his finance minister has jumped ship. The prime minister needs to show up and explain how this gong show is allowed to happen."
More calls for Trudeau to step down
Jody Wilson-Raybould, a former cabinet minister who resigned over the SNC-Lavalin scandal, said Trudeau needs to step down — especially given the looming tariff threats.
"When the general is losing his most loyal soldiers on the eve of a (tariff) war, the country desperately needs a new general," Wilson-Raybould said in a post on X.
Francis Drouin, a Liberal backbencher who won't be seeking re-election, said it's time for Trudeau to go.
"I've been a great defender [of Trudeau], but I just don't see how we move forward," Drouin told Radio-Canada.
"I don't see how this helps the prime minister and I don't' see a way out in how this helps us talk about Canadians."
When the general is losing his most loyal soldiers on the eve of a (tariff) war, the country desperately needs a new general. <a href="https://twitter.com/JustinTrudeau?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@JustinTrudeau</a>—<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/itstime?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#itstime</a>, long past time to go. <a href="https://t.co/2Rqhl2ei0P">https://t.co/2Rqhl2ei0P</a>
—@PuglaasLiberal MP and former cabinet minister Helena Jaczek criticized Trudeau for trying to push Freeland out and said the prime minister needs to resign.
"Let's put it this way: firing the minister of finance who has served you extremely well is not what I'd call a trustworthy move," she said.
Chad Collins, one of a few dozen Liberal MPs who tried to push Trudeau to resign earlier this fall, said Monday the party needs a new leader.
"I publicly reiterate my request that the Prime Minister step down and initiate a leadership process to take our country in a new direction," he said in a statement on X.
Judy Sgro, another Liberal backbencher, said she still supports the prime minister but was sad to see Freeland quit cabinet.
"She put a lot of her time and effort into it and I think Canadians owe her a real debt of gratitude for what she has done," she told reporters.
Northern Affairs Minister Dan Vandal, who won't be seeking re-election, echoed Sgro's comments.
"I thought she did a very good job and we're going to do what's best for the country," he said.
When asked if he still has faith in Trudeau, Vandal said, "Of course I do."
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