Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau begins today, "Sunday," a three-day ministerial meeting in "Halifax," Nova Scotia, to discuss topics concerning justice and Canadian-American relations, with Trudeau and his Liberal team lagging far behind the Conservatives in opinion polls to the extent that predictions revolve around a historic loss the ruling Liberal Party may face in next year's upcoming elections if the party's leaders do not manage the situation.

Interest rates have started to decline, inflation has returned to a normal range, wage growth has been strong, but the availability and costs of housing still pose a significant challenge, and food prices remain high. The Liberals have been unable to counter the message from Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre that life has become more expensive and less safe under Trudeau's leadership.

In June, the Liberals lost a long-held seat in Toronto to the Conservatives, leading to the erosion of what remained of the party's fragile confidence in their ability to achieve a miraculous comeback while Trudeau remains in leadership.
The cabinet met briefly online over the summer to approve some appointments, but tomorrow's meeting represents the first in-person meeting since that by-election.

The cabinet shuffle in July 2023 saw seven ministers completely removed and seven new faces added, while 22 of the remaining 30 ministers moved to different positions. Only minor changes have been made since then, and Trudeau has so far chosen not to reshuffle the cabinet again before this fall.

The by-election in Toronto-St. Paul, which the Liberals lost in June, and the upcoming by-election in the LaSalle-Émard riding in Montreal, came after former ministers who lost their portfolios – Carolyn Bennett and David Lametti – chose to exit politics altogether. Bennett lost his seat in Toronto to the Conservatives after it had been a Liberal stronghold for nearly 30 years, and Lametti faces the risk of being seized by the New Democratic Party when voting occurs on September 16, which could represent a significant blow to the party and its hopes in the upcoming elections.
Today's meetings focus on housing, justice, affordability, and the middle class, with next Tuesday reserved for discussing Canada-U.S. relations.

Trudeau launched a new mission for Team Canada in the United States earlier this year to promote Canada's interests ahead of the presidential election.

Speculation about Trudeau's future has increased over the past few years in Canadian political circles, although he has not yet indicated that he is considering leaving his position or resigning or following the approach of U.S. President Joe Biden.