Trudeau takes subtle dig at former deputy PM whose shock resignation foretold his downfall

The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy As he announced Monday that he would be stepping down as his party’s leader, outgoing Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau made a subtle dig at his former deputy prime minister whose shocking resignation foretold his downfall. Former deputy prime minister and minister of finance Chrystia Freeland threw Trudeau’s government into chaos when she abruptly resigned from the cabinet last month, just hours before she was due to deliver the country’s first economic update since the U.S. election. “She has been an incredible political partner through just about everything we have done as a government and as a party over the past decade.” open image in gallery Long-time Trudeau ally and former deputy prime minister, Chrystia Freeland, shocked the prime minister last month when she resigned But then he added: “I had really hoped that she would agree to continue as my deputy prime minister and take on one of the most important files that not just this government, this country is facing, but she chose otherwise.” Trudeau declined to share further details of what the two said in private. “I wish him and his family the very best.” Last month, Freeland said in her resignation letter that the government needed to take the Trump tariff threats “extremely seriously,” adding that the party needed to eschew “costly political gimmicks, which we can ill afford and which make Canadians doubt that we recognize the gravity of the moment.” open image in gallery Trudeau announced his resignation on Monday outside his residence in Ottowa At Monday’s press conference, when challenged about how the government can protect Canadians from the threat of Trump’s proposed tariffs when the party will be “focused” on a leadership contest, Trudeau insisted the government would be “singularly focused” on “fighting” for its citizens.