Once Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland resigned on December 16, it became obvious that Canadian PM Justin Trudeau’s days in office were numbered. He was already under enormous pressure, including from within his own party; parliament remained paralysed and the government’s popularity had slipped on a weakening economy and public anger at a generous immigration policy. According to some polls, the opposition Conservative party had gained a lead of over 20 per cent over the Liberals with the electorate. Elections have to be held by October this year.

At this time of Trudeau’s weakness, US President-elect Donald Trump warned that he would impose 25 per cent tariffs on Canadian exports to the US if it did not stop immigrant flows and drugs to America. Trump also referred to Trudeau as the “Governor of the Great State of Canada”. A lack of response to this disparaging comment regarding Canadian sovereignty was another indication that it was untenable for Trudeau to continue as PM and party leader. On January 6, Trudeau bowed to the inevitable. He announced his resignation but said he would continue in office till his party elected his replacement.

The Liberal Party will now elect a new leader. Among the probables are Freeland, Foreign Minister Melanie........

© Indian Express