Canada's Finance Minister Resigns As Unpopular Trudeau Faces Biggest Test Of His Political Career
Huff PostCanada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speaks to donors during the Laurier Club Holiday Party at the Canadian Museum of History in Gatineau, Quebec, on December 16, 2024. DAVE CHAN via Getty Images TORONTO — Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau faced the biggest test of his political career after Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland, long one of his most powerful and loyal ministers, resigned from the Cabinet on Monday. “The Great State of Canada is stunned as the Finance Minister resigns, or was fired, from her position by Governor Justin Trudeau,” Trump posted on Truth Social. Freeland said Canada is dealing with Trump’s threat to impose sweeping 25% tariffs and should eschew “costly political gimmicks” it can “ill afford.” “Our country is facing a grave challenge,” Freeland said in her letter. “That means keeping our fiscal powder dry today, so we have the reserves we may need for a coming tariff war.” A Liberal party official said Freeland was offered a position as minister in charge of Canada-U.S. relations without portfolio and without a department.