Canadian Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland stirred up a storm of controversy after announcing her resignation from the government on Monday morning in a surprising message described as “a bombshell.”

The resignation put Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in a difficult position, as sources indicated that he is considering his options as leader of the Liberal Party, amid increasing pressure from the opposition and some members of his party, who have called for him to step down.

This came in the context of an unexpected development, as Canadian Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland announced her resignation from her position on Monday morning, December 16, 2024, in a shocking address she posted on social media.

This resignation came just hours before the autumn economic statement, causing confusion and controversy within the Canadian parliament.

The key events as they developed throughout the day:

• 9:07 AM:

Freeland revealed in her resignation speech that she had received an offer from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to take another position in the government, but she rejected it and announced her resignation, stating that she “sees no honest and viable path other than resignation.”

• 10:50 AM:

Political analysts described this resignation as “a disaster for the government,” noting that the departure of a prominent figure like Freeland further weakens Trudeau’s government at a time when it is facing severe criticism from the opposition.

• 12:30 PM:

Political analyst Tom Mulcair commented that Freeland’s speech contains strong signals of her desire to run for the leadership of the Liberal Party in the future.

• 2:18 PM:

New Democratic Party leader Jagmeet Singh openly called for Justin Trudeau’s resignation, stating that the government is “preoccupied with internal conflicts instead of focusing on citizens’ issues.”

• 4:12 PM:

The Department of Finance released the economic statement, revealing a budget deficit of $61.9 billion, which far exceeds the previous target set by Freeland of $40.1 billion.

• 5:43 PM:

Justin Trudeau held an emergency meeting with his party, with sources confirming that Freeland received a warm round of applause from her colleagues.

• 7:00 PM:

Justin Trudeau is expected to deliver a speech from the Canadian Museum of History, marking his first public appearance after this crisis.

Reactions:

• Conservative Party leader Pierre Poilievre described the government as “in a state of collapse,” calling for early elections.

• Several Liberal Party members, such as Anthony Housefather and Helena Jaksiak, demanded Trudeau's resignation, affirming that his leadership of the party has become a burden.

• Provincial leaders called for unity to face increasing economic challenges, especially amid trade threats from the United States.

Political Analysis:

Freeland's resignation reflects tensions within the Liberal government and disagreements over spending policies and fiscal deficits. It also represents a significant challenge for Trudeau, who faces increasing pressure to resign, amid calls from opposition parties for early elections.