There could be a massive shakeup in the Canadian political landscape this week, as rumours are flying about Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announcing a timeline for stepping down. The first step was just taken as Trudeau has requested and will prorogue parliament until March 24.
The news will reverberate from coast-to-coast but perhaps in no place more than Toronto’s Summerhill neighbourhood — home to MP Chrystia Freeland.
Freeland, in an apparent difference of opinions with Trudeau, resigned her post as deputy PM last month. Freeland was first made deputy prime minister in November of 2019. Recently, there have been reports of her contacting fellow MPs across the country in preparation for a leadership bid.
See my letter to the Prime Minister below // Veuillez trouver ma lettre au Premier ministre ci-dessous pic.twitter.com/NMMMcXUh7A
— Chrystia Freeland (@cafreeland) December 16, 2024
She was first elected as a member of parliament for Toronto Centre in 2013, replacing Bob Rae.
In a previous article for Post City, Rae shone a light on Freeland and her approach.
“Articulate and unfazed by the challenge of dealing with the unpredictable, Chrystia has emerged as a key voice, not just for the government, but for Canada,” Rae said.
In an Angus Reid Institute poll of potential replacements for Trudeau including Mark Carney, Melanie Joly, Dominic Leblanc, Anita Anand, and Francois-Philippe Champagne along with Freeland, the Toronto MP is far-and-away the top contender.
“In the event Freeland were to succeed as Liberal Party leader, the party’s fortunes among the total population jumps eight points to 21 per cent,” read the Angus Reid report.
Despite the uptick if Freeland becomes the new leader of the Liberal Party of Canada, she will face a massive uphill battle to challenge Pierre Polievre, leader of the Conservative Party of Canada, who would still hold a double-digit lead according to Angus Reid.
There hasn’t been a Prime Minister of Canada from a Toronto and area riding since William Lyon Mackenzie King in 1921. Stephen Harper was born in Toronto, but was a Calgary MP when elected PM in 2006.
