Canada’s Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland has resigned from her post, citing disagreements with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on how to respond to US President Donald Trump’s threat of tariffs. In a letter to Trudeau, Freeland stated that the two have been “at odds about the best path forward for Canada” and pointed to the “grave challenge” posed by Trump’s policy of “aggressive economic nationalism.”
Freeland’s resignation comes after Trudeau informed her last week that he no longer wanted her to be his government’s top economic adviser. The decision was made public just hours before Freeland was set to provide an annual fiscal government update in parliament.
The two were reportedly in disagreement over recent policy proposals aimed at addressing Canada’s cost-of-living crisis, including a plan to send a C$250 check to every eligible Canadian. Freeland’s office had expressed concerns about the cost of these policies, citing the nation’s growing deficit.
Freeland’s resignation has been met with criticism from opposition politicians, with the leader of the Conservative Party calling for a federal election as soon as possible. Other members of the Liberal party have expressed their respect for Freeland’s decision, with some describing her as a “good friend” and a “good colleague”.
The Business Council of Canada has also weighed in, calling Freeland’s resignation “deeply troubling” and suggesting that it raises concerns about whose interests the government is serving. Despite Freeland’s resignation, the Department of Finance Canada has announced that the fall economic statement will still be delivered on Monday as planned. Freeland has stated that she intends to stay on as a Liberal member of parliament and will run again in Canada’s upcoming election.
