The Liberal cabinet is said to be holding a virtual meeting to discuss “appointments” on Friday, leading some to speculate if the prime minister is considering another cabinet shuffle.
The meeting comes at a time when Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is facing calls to step down as party leader after last month’s Toronto–St. Paul’s byelection defeat.
The loss was a watershed moment for the party, foreshadowing the difficulties it’s likely to face in the coming federal election.
Rumours are also spreading that former Bank of Canada governor Mark Carney may be entering the Liberal fold, potentially to replace Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland.
“I think he would be an outstanding addition at a time when Canadians need good people to step up in politics,” Trudeau told reporters last week.
The Globe and Mail reported Tuesday that Trudeau met with Carney on Sunday and urged him to join the government. The sources interviewed for the story said Carney was not specifically offered the role of finance minister.
Freeland said that she’s grateful for “any support” that Carney can offer her and that the two speak “often” but that she intends to stay in her position.
“What I will say to everyone here, speaking for myself, is I do have the confidence that I need to do my job effectively,” Freeland told reporters in Markham, Ont. on Tuesday.
Carney could seek a seat in a byelection or hold out until the next federal election, currently slated for October 2025. He is currently the chair of Brookfield Asset Management and a United Nations climate envoy.
Carney did not respond to a request for comment from True North.
The Prime Minister’s Office did not respond to True North for comment but did release a statement last week denying reports that Trudeau was considering a demotion for Freeland, saying they are “not accurate.”
“The Prime Minister, and his office have full confidence in Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Chrystia Freeland,” reads the statement.
However, the Liberals are under immense pressure to do something to change the public’s plummeting opinion of them, with several former Liberal cabinet ministers calling for Trudeau to step down.
Former B.C. premier Christy Clark has called for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s to resign, urging Liberal MPs to lobby him behind closed doors to step aside if he doesn’t do it on his own.
New Brunswick MP Wayne Long called for the resignation of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in a letter to caucus members last month.
“Colleagues, after reflecting on this week’s defeat in Toronto—St Paul’s and then seeing the response, I want you to know clearly and directly where I stand,” wrote Long. “For the future of our party and for the good of our country we need new leadership and a new direction. The voters have spoken loud and clear they want change. I agree.”
From out west to Atlantic Canada, most Canadians are feeling the same sentiment, with a recent Ipsos poll revealing that 68% of respondents across the country said it was time for Trudeau to resign.
That sentiment was felt highest in Alberta (79%) and Atlantic Canada (76%).
“This is as bad as we’ve seen it for Trudeau. It’s close to rock bottom,” said Ipsos CEO Darrell Bricker in June.