Jagmeet Singh urges Justin Trudeau to quit after deputy Chrystia Freeland resigns over Donald Trump tariff dispute

Canada’s New Democratic Party leader Jagmeet Singh called on Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to resign following the resignation of Chrystia Freeland as Finance Minister and deputy Prime Minister on Monday. Singh stopped short of demanding an election or withdrawing his party’s support for Trudeau’s minority government.

“People are having a very hard time paying for groceries. Young people can’t find affordable housing,” Singh said at a press conference. “Instead of dealing with issues that are important for Canadians, the Prime Minister is dealing with fighting in his own party. It’s clear that the Prime Minister cannot continue,” he added.

Freeland, who also served as deputy prime minister, said Trudeau had asked her to step down as finance minister on Friday and offered her another role in Cabinet. In her resignation letter, Freeland wrote, “The only honest and viable path for me is to leave the Cabinet.” She urged the government to focus on responding to US President-elect Donald Trump’s planned 25% tariffs, calling it a “grave challenge” that requires fiscal caution.

Meanwhile, Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre criticised Singh for continuing to support Trudeau’s government despite the growing turmoil. “Why is Jagmeet Singh making the entire country wait for him to get his pension? That is the question today,” Poilievre said.

Poilievre added that Trudeau’s leadership is faltering as his party faces internal divisions. “Justin Trudeau has lost control, but he’s hanging onto power,” he said. Poilievre also highlighted the risks posed by Trump’s planned tariffs, describing them as a significant threat to Canadian jobs. “Our largest neighbour and closest ally is imposing 25% tariffs under a recently elected Trump with a strong mandate, a man who knows how to identify weakness,” he said.

Poilievre said that he’s going to try to get a non-confidence vote to take down the Trudeau government after Chrystia Freeland announced her resignation.