Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau faces increasing challenges as his power government weakens and it is likely that his party will lose power early next year. The ruling Liberal Party, which has been in office for more than nine years, is facing increasing voter dissatisfaction, economic difficulties and intra-party disagreements. While this situation has led to intense debates within the party, there have been calls Trueau to step aside and make way for a new leadership.
Liberals believe they are at a turning point. Voter fatigue, rising inflation and an escalating housing crisis have eroded public trust. Polls predict a major defeat for the Liberals in the next election with the right-leaning Conservative Party poised for a decisive victory.
Trudeau’s leadership has also become a point of criticism within his own party. According to Canadian Brodcasting Corporation (CBC), over 50 Liberal Members of Parliament from the party`s traditional stronghold Ontario convened over the weekend to express their concerns. Chandra Arya, once a loyal ally of Trudeau, stated, “There is no alternative but for leadership to change.”
Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland abruptly resigned on December 23, less than a month before United States (US) administration was set to take office. Freeland, who chaired a special cabinet committee in Canada-US relations, played a key role in managing relations with the US coordinating a unified response to impending trade threats with Canada`s 10 provinces.[1] Her resignation, prompted by Treduau`s offer of a lower cabinet position, has left the government in turmoil at a critical juncture. Freeland had raised concern about Trudeau’s spending plans, warning that they could jeopardize Canada`s ability to withstand the economic damage from tariffs threatened by US President-elect Donald Trump. Ontario Premier Doug Ford, underscored the seriousness of the situation, stating, “As a country, we need to how strength and unity, but right now, there`s chaos in Ottowa.”
The resignation caught provincial leaders off guard. Alberta Premier Danielle Smith, a vocal critic of Trudeau, revealed that premiers learned of Freeland’s departure in the middle of a conference call intended to discuss the US trade threats. “We need leadership, and this is not leadership,” Smith said, highlighting the growing perception of dysfunction at the federal level. Freeland’s departure has intensified calls for Trudeau to step down. If he resigns, the Liberal Party will face the task of selecting a successor. Potential candidates include former Finance Minister Freeland, Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly, Innovation Minister François-Philippe Champagne, and former Bank of Canada Governor Mark Carney. However, it remains uncertain whether any candidate can restore public confidence in the party.
So far, Trudeau has shown no immediate signs of stepping down. Reports suggest he plans to spend the holiday season reflecting on his political future. His options include staying in office until a potential defeat in the confidence vote scheduled for March, resigning in January to allow for an interim leader, or proroguing Parliament to buy time for leadership renewal.
The opposition Conservatives, emboldened by Trudeau’s declining approval ratings, have intensified their criticism. They accuse the Liberals of fiscal mismanagement and warn of economic instability if Liberal governance continues. In response, the Liberals have aired campaign ads portraying the Conservatives as advocates of austerity. However, Trudeau himself has been notably absent from these efforts.
Meanwhile, opposition parties accuse the Trudeau government of failing to respond effectively to U.S. trade threats and are calling for elections to establish a stable government capable of addressing the forthcoming economic challenges.[2]
Once a symbol of innovative values and global admiration, Trudeau’s leadership now teeters on the edge. Freeland’s resignation has exposed cracks in the government’s ability to address urgent domestic and international challenges, including potential U.S. tariffs. The Liberal Party’s struggle to maintain relevance amid economic difficulties, voter dissatisfaction, and internal divisions underscores the precarious nature of political longevity.
As Canada experiences one of its most politically and economically unstable periods in recent history, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and the ruling Liberal Party stand at a critical crossroads. After more than nine years in power, the party, once seen as dynamic and forward-thinking, now appears mired in voter fatigue, internal discord, and a growing sense of disconnect from the struggles of ordinary Canadians. From soaring housing costs to inflationary pressures, mounting challenges have left the Liberal government vulnerable to both public criticism and political opposition. Trudeau’s reluctance to step down immediately has put the Liberal Party in a perilous position. Should he choose to remain in office, the party is likely to face an almost certain defeat in the no-confidence vote expected in March. Such an outcome would force the Liberals into an election, unprepared and politically weakened.
Alternatively, Trudeau could step aside in January, allowing the party to appoint an interim leader and begin a renewal process. However, even this path is fraught with challenges, as the party struggles to rally around a successor capable of reinvigorating its base and regaining public trust. Candidates like Mélanie Joly, François-Philippe Champagne, and Mark Carney may offer fresh perspectives, but whether they can restore the party’s standing in the eyes of Canadians remains an open question.
Whether Trudeau steps back or stays to fight another day, his government’s ability to address these challenges effectively will define this period in Canadian politics and ultimately shape Justin Trudeau’s legacy.
[1] “Canada government adrift after finance minister resigns, Trump tariffs loom”, Reuters, https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/canada-government-adrift-after-finance-minister-resigns-trump-tariffs-loom-2024-12-17/, (Date Accession: 27.12.2024).
[2] “Canada’s Trudeau faces increasing pressure from his own MPs to quit”, Reuters, https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/canadas-trudeau-faces-increasing-pressure-his-own-mps-quit-2024-12-23/, (Date Accession: 27.12.2024).
