Canada’s Trudeau reshuffles cabinet amid continued pressure to resign | Political news

The shakeup comes as Canada’s prime minister considers his successor as leader of the Liberal Party following the senior minister’s resignation.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau changed his cabinet a few days after that the deputy chief resigned a move that sent shock waves across the country and sparked renewed calls for Trudeau to resign as leader of the Liberal Party.

The prime minister welcomed the members of his new cabinet during the swearing-in ceremony in the capital, Ottawa, on Friday.

Among the most important portfolios, Ontario MP David McGuinty was named Canada’s public safety minister, overseeing federal law enforcement.

Nathaniel Erskine-Smith, who also represents a constituency in Ontario, will be the country’s new housing minister.

It comes after Canada’s finance minister and deputy prime minister, Chrystia Freeland, announced her resignation on Monday. Disagreement with Trudeau On how to manage a possible “tariff war” with the United States.

Last month, the president-elect of the United States Donald Trump warned Canada He said he would impose 25 percent tariffs on the country if it did not do more to curb illegal immigration and the flow of illegal drugs across the U.S. border.

“The incoming administration in the United States is pursuing a policy of aggressive economic nationalism, including the threat of 25 percent tariffs. We must take this threat extremely seriously,” Freeland wrote in his resignation letter.

“That means keeping our financial powder dry today, so we have the reserves we might need for the coming tariff war.”

Trudeau, who has served as Canada’s prime minister since 2015, has faced months of pressure to step down. Liberal Party Ahead of the federal elections, which should be held before the end of October.

His popularity has plummeted in recent years as the country faces a number of challenges, from a housing crisis to rising living costs. Polls show the Liberals trailing the opposition Conservatives heading into the 2025 election.

Several Liberal MPs made the call publicly this week let the prime minister resign After Freeland’s resignation, however, many continued to stand by Trudeau under increasing pressure.

On Thursday, The Globe and Mail reported that the prime minister was holding discussions about his future with senior cabinet members and party leaders.

Citing three unnamed sources on the matter, the newspaper said Trudeau won’t decide until early in the new year whether he plans to step down or stay on as leader.

Meanwhile, opposition lawmakers have called on Trudeau to resign or call an election.

On Friday, the left-leaning New Democratic Party (NDP) – until September support a liberal minority government — He said he would table a no-confidence motion to topple the government when parliament reconvenes at the end of January.

“Justin Trudeau has failed at the prime minister’s greatest job: working for the people, not the powerful. Focusing on Canadians, not on themselves,” NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh said in a statement on social media Friday morning.

“Liberals don’t deserve another chance. That’s why the NDP will vote to oust this government and give Canadians a chance to vote for a government that will work for them,” he said.

“Regardless of who leads the Liberal Party, this government’s time is up.” We will put forward a clear motion of no confidence at the next session of the House of Commons.”

If all opposition parties vote in favor of the motion, the Trudeau government will fall and an election will be called.

Justin Trudeau has failed at the prime minister’s greatest job: working for the people, not the powerful.

The NDP will vote to overthrow this government and give Canadians a chance to vote for a government that will work for them. pic.twitter.com/uqklF6RrUX

— Jagmeet Singh (@theJagmeetSingh) December 20, 2024