Canadian Prime Minister To Reshuffle Cabinet Amid Resignation Calls, Leadership Discontent

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is set to announce a Cabinet reshuffle on Friday in an effort to stabilize his government amid growing calls for his resignation and increasing internal dissent within his Liberal Party.

Trudeau’s office confirmed on Thursday night that he would attend a swearing-in ceremony and chair a meeting with his newly configured Cabinet later in the day.

This move follows the sudden resignation of Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland on Monday, a development that has further intensified criticism of Trudeau’s leadership.

While a growing number of Liberal lawmakers are urging Trudeau to step down, the newly appointed Finance Minister Dominic LeBlanc has insisted that the prime minister retains the “full support of his Cabinet.”

AP reports that Canadian Intergovernmental Affairs Minister Dominic LeBlanc has acknowledged the growing calls from Liberal lawmakers for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to resign, emphasizing that Trudeau is listening to their concerns.

“That’s a view they are expressing. The prime minister listened carefully when that view was expressed to him,” LeBlanc stated.

“He listened, in some cases responded to specific things that were raised, and he said he would reflect carefully.”

LeBlanc maintained that the government remains focused on addressing pressing challenges, including President-elect Donald Trump’s proposal to impose a 25% tariff on Canadian products when he takes office next month.

“We shouldn’t be looking inward. We shouldn’t be worrying about ourselves,” LeBlanc said, adding that he plans to meet with Tom Homan, Trump’s incoming border czar, after Christmas to discuss Canada’s border security strategy aimed at averting the tariffs.

Trudeau, who has led Canada for nearly a decade, faces mounting unpopularity over issues such as inflation and the high cost of living.

While there is no immediate mechanism for his removal, he could resign voluntarily or face a no-confidence vote in Parliament, which could trigger an election likely to favor the opposition Conservative Party.

The leadership crisis deepened earlier this week when Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland resigned from Cabinet, criticizing Trudeau’s handling of economic challenges amid Trump’s tariff threats.