Canada’s Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland resigns from Justin Trudeau’s Cabinet – India TV #IndiaFinance

In a big setback to Justin Trudeau, Canadian Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland on Monday said that she is resigning from Prime Minister Trudeau’s cabinet, hours before the federal government is expected to deliver the fall economic statement.

She was Trudeau’s most powerful and loyal minister. The move stunned the country and raised questions about how much longer Trudeau could stay at his job.

‘Trudeau no longer wanted me to serve as finance minister’

Freeland, who also was deputy prime minister, said Trudeau had told her Friday that he no longer wanted her to serve as finance minister and that he offered her another role in the Cabinet. “On Friday, you told me you no longer want me to serve as your Finance Minister and offered me another position in the Cabinet,” Freeland wrote in a letter addressed to Trudeau that was posted on her social media account.

However, she said in her resignation letter to the prime minister that the only “honest and viable path” was to leave the Cabinet. “Upon reflection, I have concluded that the only honest and viable path is for me to resign from the Cabinet,” Freeland added.

Canada dealing with U.S. President-elect Donald Trump’s threat

Freeland said Canada is dealing with U.S. President-elect Donald Trump’s threat to impose sweeping 25% tariffs and should eschew “costly political gimmicks” it can “ill afford.” “Our country today faces a grave challenge. We need to take that threat extremely seriously. That means keeping our fiscal powder dry today, so we have the reserves we may need for a coming tariff war. That means eschewing costly political gimmicks, which we can ill afford and which make Canadians doubt that we recognise the gravity of the moment,” she added.

Freeland and Trudeau reportedly had differing views on a recently announced two-month sales tax holiday and $250 Canadian (approximately $175 USD) checks for Canadians.

While Trudeau has expressed his intention to lead the Liberal Party in the next election, some party members are reportedly opposed to him running for a fourth term. Freeland’s resignation from the Cabinet has raised questions about its potential impact on Trudeau’s political future. However, the implications of her departure remain unclear at this time.

The federal election has to be held before October. The Liberals must rely on the support of at least one major party in Parliament, as they don’t hold an outright majority themselves. If the opposition New Democrats pull support, an election can be held at any time.

(With AP inputs)

Also Read: 11 Indians killed in Georgia’s mountain resort due to carbon monoxide poisoning

Also Read: ‘Won’t permit Sri Lanka territory to be used…’: President Dissanayake assures India over Chinese threat