Trudeau Faces Growing pressure to resign amid Cabinet turmoil and mounting discontent

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is under increasing pressure to step down, as calls for his resignation grow within his own Liberal Party following the abrupt departure of key Cabinet ministers. Trudeau, who has been in office for nearly a decade, faces widespread criticism over his handling of the economy, rising inflation, and the country’s high cost of living.

The political turmoil raises questions about Trudeau’s future as leader, with speculation mounting about the possibility of his resignation or a parliamentary no-confidence vote that could end Liberal rule and trigger an election favoring the opposition Conservatives.

Cabinet Shake-Up Fuels Crisis

Trudeau’s leadership faced a significant blow this week when Jonathan Wilkinson, the minister of natural resources, called for Trudeau to take time to “reflect” on his position. This followed the resignation of former Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland, who criticized Trudeau’s handling of the economy, particularly in response to tariffs threatened by U.S. President-elect Donald Trump.

Freeland’s departure came shortly after Housing Minister Sean Fraser also stepped down, intensifying the perception of a government in crisis. Historian Robert Bothwell noted that Trudeau’s leadership may not survive further defections, remarking, “If another minister or two goes, he’s toast.”

Potential Liberal Successors

If Trudeau resigns, the Liberal Party would need to select an interim leader to steer the country until elections are held. Among the possible contenders is Dominic LeBlanc, the current finance minister and a longtime ally of Trudeau.

Another prominent figure is Mark Carney, the former governor of the Bank of Canada and the Bank of England, who has been seen as a potential future leader of the Liberals.

Parliamentary Pressure and No-Confidence Threat

The Liberals’ minority government relies on support from the left-leaning New Democratic Party (NDP) to pass legislation. However, NDP leader Jagmeet Singh has joined calls for Trudeau to resign, leaving the Liberals vulnerable to a no-confidence vote in Parliament.

If such a vote succeeds, it would trigger an election, likely strengthening the Conservatives’ hand. Polls show the Conservatives commanding 43% support compared to the Liberals’ 23%, suggesting a majority government for the opposition is within reach.

The Conservatives, however, have not formally called for Trudeau’s resignation, instead biding their time while Liberal infighting erodes the government’s stability.

Trudeau’s Path Forward

Despite mounting opposition, Trudeau has signaled a willingness to fight on. Addressing Liberal lawmakers, he acknowledged the internal divisions but expressed his commitment to the party and the country. “I love this country. I deeply love this party. I love you guys,” he said.

Should Trudeau manage to survive a no-confidence vote, he could theoretically remain in office until the next federal election, scheduled for October 2025. However, analysts like Nelson Wiseman, professor emeritus at the University of Toronto, expect an election much sooner, potentially by late spring 2025.

The Road Ahead

With his party’s grip on power slipping, Trudeau’s future appears increasingly uncertain. The Liberals’ best-case scenario in an upcoming election may be to limit the Conservatives to a minority government, forcing them to rely on smaller parties to pass legislation.

As the political winds shift, Trudeau faces a critical decision: step aside to allow his party to regroup or risk an electoral defeat that could end his decade-long leadership of Canada.