OTTAWA, Canada — Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is poised to shuffle his Cabinet on Friday, a move seen as a response to mounting political challenges that have raised questions about his leadership.
The announcement follows the abrupt resignation of Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland earlier this week, which deepened discontent within Trudeau’s Liberal Party.
The prime minister’s office confirmed late Thursday, December 19, 2024, that Trudeau will participate in the swearing-in ceremony and chair a meeting with the restructured Cabinet.
Mounting Pressure from Within
Trudeau, who has led Canada for nearly a decade, faces increasing calls from his party’s lawmakers to step aside.
Dominic LeBlanc, newly appointed as finance minister, sought to quell concerns Thursday, affirming Trudeau’s “full support of his Cabinet.”
“That’s a view they are expressing,” LeBlanc said of lawmakers urging Trudeau to resign.
“The prime minister listened carefully when that view was expressed to him. He listened, in some cases responded to specific things that were raised, and he said he would reflect carefully.”
LeBlanc acknowledged the challenges but stressed the importance of maintaining focus on governing, particularly in light of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump’s threat to impose a 25% tariff on Canadian products.
“We shouldn’t be looking inward. We shouldn’t be worrying about ourselves,” LeBlanc said.
He added that he plans to meet with Tom Homan, Trump’s incoming “border czar,” after Christmas to discuss border security measures aimed at averting the tariffs.
Leadership in Crisis
Freeland’s resignation on Monday, reportedly driven by frustration over Trudeau’s handling of the economy and his response to the tariff threat, has underscored divisions within the party.
Her departure, coupled with that of the housing minister, has left critical Cabinet roles vacant.
Natural Resources Minister Jonathan Wilkinson called for patience, saying, “We all need to give him a little time to reflect.”
However, with Parliament shut for the holidays and a no-confidence vote looming next year, Trudeau’s political future remains uncertain.
The minority Liberal government has long relied on support from the left-leaning New Democratic Party (NDP) to pass legislation.
That alliance now appears fractured, with NDP leader Jagmeet Singh calling on Trudeau to resign.
Singh, however, has not committed to immediately toppling the government, citing the potential need for a united response to U.S. tariffs.
Cabinet Shuffle Unlikely to Shift Polling
Political observers are sceptical that the Cabinet shuffle will bolster the Liberals’ waning popularity.
“It appears Trudeau will be stepping down, but no one knows exactly when,” said Nelson Wiseman, professor emeritus at the University of Toronto.
“The need to fill vacant posts and to relieve some ministers of carrying multiple portfolios is the drive behind the shuffle, but it will not boost the Liberal Party’s polling numbers; it’s too late in the day for that to happen.”
Adding to the uncertainty, LeBlanc confirmed that former Bank of England and Bank of Canada governor Mark Carney will not be joining the Cabinet.
Trudeau has reportedly been courting Carney to bring his economic expertise into the government and possibly position him as a successor.
“Mr. Carney isn’t about to become Canada’s finance minister in the short term,” LeBlanc said.
“The prime minister asked me to start that work and to get ready for a budget in the spring.”
A Party at a Crossroads
With the next parliamentary session set to resume in late January, Trudeau faces limited options: resign voluntarily, push forward with a tenuous Cabinet, or risk a no-confidence vote that could usher in a Conservative-led government.
As Liberal lawmakers and the Canadian public watch closely, Friday’s Cabinet shuffle may signal whether Trudeau intends to fight for his leadership or bow to the pressure mounting within his own ranks.
