Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland said she feels she has the confidence she needs to continue her role as Minister of Finance, but did not mention whether Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has given her any specific guarantees.

Freeland told reporters in Markham, Ontario on Tuesday: "To work as a minister in a government, you need the support and confidence of the Prime Minister... To do my job effectively... I need to feel that I have that confidence."

"What I will say to everyone here, speaking for myself, is that I have the confidence I need to do my job effectively."

Last week, citing unnamed sources, The Globe and Mail reported that senior officials in Trudeau's office were concerned about Freeland's cut-off economic communications, noting the increasing tension between the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) and Freeland's office.

In her first comments since the report emerged, Freeland largely deferred commentary to Trudeau, whom she described as "a very eloquent man" capable of speaking for himself.

Trudeau stated he still has "full confidence" in Freeland, whom he described as "a close friend, ally, and partner in doing really great things for Canada."

The two senior Canadian officials have spent a lot of time together over the past few days – both at events that took place over the weekend in the Greater Toronto Area, as well as in Ottawa on Monday – where Freeland said they had time to talk at length.

Freeland has been asked repeatedly whether she received any reassurances in these interactions that her job is safe, and she only stated that she believes Canada, despite facing challenges, is "amazing" and that she considers serving in Canada "a real privilege" for both of her ministerial portfolios.

Reports gave many political observers the same sense when Bill Morneau resigned in 2020. At the time – amid the WE Charity scandal – leaks from the Prime Minister's Office indicated there were increasing disagreements with Trudeau over massive COVID-19 spending programs.

At that time – just as confirmed last week – Trudeau was having discussions with former central bank governor and leadership rival Mark Carney, who sparked much speculation about playing a major economic role with the Liberal government.

While some suggested this seems a clear pattern, the Prime Minister's Office attempted to clear the air, insisting that what was reported was not true.

Freeland was asked on Tuesday if she had also spoken to Carney to encourage him to run. The Deputy Prime Minister said she has known Carney for a long time and speaks with him "a lot," noting that he is the godfather of her son.

She said: "I think Mark is a great Canadian. I am really happy that he has come out as a Liberal, and I am grateful for any support he can give our party, our government, and our country."

Conservatives rushed to pounce on the internal Liberal drama, attacking supporters with a fundraising email last Friday, accusing the government of being "desperate" and "turning on each other."

The conservatives' email stated: "It's Trudeau refusing to take responsibility himself, so now he is throwing his ministers under the bus again."

In response to a question about how it felt to be the focus of public scrutiny, Freeland said she spends "very little time feeling sorry" for herself.

She said, "I know there are millions and millions and millions of Canadians who work much harder than any of the prominent figures standing behind this podium, and who do it for less money and less praise. These are the Canadians I think about every day."