As Christmas approaches, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau isn’t expected to make any announcements about his political future, sources say. Trudeau, who has faced increasing pressure over his leadership, will be taking time off with his family in British Columbia from December 26 to January 2.
The uncertainty surrounding Trudeau’s leadership deepened last week after Chrystia Freeland, his finance minister and deputy prime minister, resigned following a shake-up in his cabinet. A growing number of Liberal MPs are now calling for Trudeau to step aside, fearing the party may face a historic defeat in upcoming elections.
While Parliament is on break until late January, the political tension is palpable. The New Democratic Party (NDP) announced it will vote “no confidence” when lawmakers reconvene on January 27. If this happens, Trudeau could either suspend Parliament for months to allow time for a leadership race or delay the vote to avoid a potential showdown.
Trudeau, who has led Canada for nearly a decade, is now grappling with plummeting popularity due to issues like inflation and the rising cost of living. With no clear mechanism for his party to oust him, his future as Liberal leader hangs in the balance. The threat of a “no confidence” vote could force an election, one that many believe would likely benefit the Conservative Party.
This political turmoil comes at a challenging time for Canada, especially with U.S. President-elect Donald Trump threatening high tariffs on Canadian goods unless Canada addresses what he calls an influx of migrants and drugs into the U.S. Despite the ongoing crisis, Trudeau has remained quiet about his future and has not faced questions from the media since Freeland’s resignation.
However, Trudeau is scheduled to join a virtual Cabinet meeting on Canada-U.S. relations on Monday, as his government continues to prepare for the incoming U.S. administration.
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