Gerald Butts, a former chief adviser and close friend to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, has expressed doubts about Trudeau’s future as the leader of the Liberal Party following Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland’s unexpected resignation from the cabinet last week. Butts shared his views in a newsletter, noting that Freeland’s departure has left Trudeau with less influence over the party and increased the likelihood of him stepping down before the next election.
As the Conservatives plan to challenge the government with a non-confidence motion in January, Trudeau is reportedly considering his political future over the holiday break. Meanwhile, several Liberal MPs have begun publicly suggesting he should resign for the party’s benefit. Butts believes the only way forward, if Trudeau resigns as expected, is to hold a genuine leadership race rather than appointing Freeland or another successor.
Amid these developments, the Conservatives are looking to capitalize on the situation by proposing a non-confidence motion in early January. This action could potentially lead to a government collapse and an early election. Conservative MP John Williamson has announced plans to initiate this motion at a House committee meeting when Parliament reconvenes.
Additionally, the NDP, led by Jagmeet Singh, has indicated readiness to support such a motion, criticizing the Liberals for failing Canadians and suggesting it is time for a change in leadership.
Public opinion polls in Canada have shown Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre significantly ahead of Trudeau, predicting a possible Conservative majority in the next election. This political unrest suggests an election could occur sooner than anticipated, increasing the potential for a shift in government leadership.
