Canadian deputy prime minister and Finance Minister Vreeland announced on the 16th to resign from the cabinet.
In an open letter to Canadian Prime Minister Trudo on social media, Freeland said Mr Trudeau told her on the 13th that he wanted her to step down as finance minister. “On reflection, the only honest and feasible way was for me to resign from the cabinet,” she said.
Freeland acknowledged in the letter that it had disagreed with Trudo over the past few weeks over the direction of the country’s development. She also said she would remain a member of Congress and run in the next general election.
Vreeland also said the threat by president-elect Donald Trump to impose punitive tariffs of up to 25 per cent on all Canadian goods posed a serious challenge. “That means we have to keep our fiscal reserves today in case of a possible tariff war,” she said. “It also means getting rid of expensive political gimmicks.” She called on the federal government to work with the provinces and territories, together to create a true“Team Canada” response.
Vreeland’s resignation comes just hours before the Canadian federal government is scheduled to issue its autumn 2024 economic statement. It is not clear who will make the statement. Trudo is expected to announce cabinet changes soon.