Conservative, NDP MPs assail Liberal government, Trudeau’s leadership in wake of finance minister’s resignation

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This article was published 17/12/2024 (342 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

MPs in a handful of Winnipeg ridings reacted Tuesday with a mixture of support and a sense of “we told you so” to Chrystia Freeland’s resignation from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s Liberal government this week.

Party affiliation was a major factor in choosing a lens through which to view the political chaos Freeland triggered Monday morning when she resigned as deputy prime minister and minister of finance in a stunning move just hours before she was to deliver the government’s fall economic statement.

Her decision, which she said was based on the prime minister’s intention to replace her in the finance portfolio, turned up the volume on calls both inside the Liberal caucus and across the country for Trudeau to resign the party’s leadership after nine years in government.

Winnipeg South Centre Liberal MP Ben Carr said he has “a deep degree of respect” for Freeland.

“I think she has served Canada well and I’m glad she (has) decided to run again,” said Carr.

“My constituents have been clear with me that they want to see us invest in affordability measures and programs that help to strengthen families and our community. There was plenty in the fall economic statement that centres on those priorities.”

In her resignation letter, Freeland denounced Trudeau’s “costly political gimmicks.”

Kildonan-St. Paul Conservative MP Raquel Dancho, noted Freeland’s resignation was the ninth of a government minister in recent months.

“The Liberal government is spiralling out of control at the very worst time… with many in his caucus and the Liberal party calling for his resignation, it’s clear Mr. Trudeau is too weak to lead this country,” she said.

“Canadians are fed up. They are struggling to feed themselves and find an affordable home, they are worried about their safety with increasing violent crime in their communities and they need strong and stable leadership to face down the 25 per cent tariff threat from the U.S.”

U.S. President-elect Donald Trump has threatened to impose those tariffs on goods imported from Canada and Mexico unless the two countries take action to stop illegal immigration and drug-trafficking across their neighbour’s northern and southern borders.

The United States is Canada’s largest trading partner.

NDP MP Leila Dance who was elected in Elmwood-Transcona in a September byelection, said Freeland’s resignation is a signal to voters across Canada.

“The Liberals have made it clear that they are not on the side of working-class Canadians and, if you don’t believe me, you can look at Freeland’s statement where she mentions the Liberals are too focused on themselves instead of Canadians,” she said.

“Canadians deserve better than that. They deserve a government who will fight to protect Canada from Trump’s threats and who will fight to crack down on the corporate greed driving up the cost of rent, food and the everyday essentials Manitobans rely on.”

kevin.rollason@freepress.mb.ca

Kevin Rollason
Reporter

Kevin Rollason is a general assignment reporter at the Free Press. He graduated from Western University with a Masters of Journalism in 1985 and worked at the Winnipeg Sun until 1988, when he joined the Free Press. He has served as the Free Press’s city hall and law courts reporter and has won several awards, including a National Newspaper Award. Read more about Kevin.

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