Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has cancelled scheduled year-end interviews with legacy media outlets, an unprecedented move amid the political turmoil started by Chrystia Freeland’s resignation from his cabinet last week.
Trudeau and other political leaders customarily sit down with journalists for one-on-one interviews in December, reviewing events of the year and forecasting what Canadians can expect after the holidays.
Multiple journalists and outlets have confirmed that scheduled interviews with Trudeau have been abruptly cancelled in recent days.
Global News host Mercedes Stephenson was the first to share that this happened, but the Hill Times has since confirmed with the Prime Minister’s Office that no year-end interviews are taking place.
The Hill Times confirmed cancellations with at least seven major media organizations, including Global News, CBC, CTV, Radio-Canada, TVA Nouvelles, and a joint interview with CityNews and OMNI Television.
Freeland’s surprise resignation last Monday took place hours before she was set to deliver the fall economic statement. The news was followed by a cabinet shuffle later in the week and mounting calls from Liberal members of Parliament for Trudeau to resign so a successor can be named prior to the next election.
Jagmeet Singh also committed for the first time to voting to bring down the Liberals in a non-confidence vote, meaning there is no viable path for Trudeau to continue governing once the House of Commons reconvenes at the end of January.
