U.S. President-elect Donald Trump has referred to Justin Trudeau as the Governor of Canada for a second time, following a chaotic day on Parliament hill prompting many to call on the prime minister to step down.
At his first public appearance since Chrysia Freeland’s shock resignation as finance minister, Trudeau showed no signs of cowering to calls for him to step down.
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“I love this country…I trust Canadians,” he told an applauding crowd at a Liberal Party fundraising event Monday evening.
But it wasn’t all cheers for Trudeau.
Within hours of the prime minister’s remarks, Trump shared his perspective on the day’s events on Truth Social, once again employing the “governor” misnomer.
“The Great State of Canada is stunned as the Finance Minister resigns, or was fired, from her position by Governor Justin Trudeau. Her behaviour was totally toxic, and not at all conducive to making deals which are good for the very unhappy citizens of Canada. She will not be missed!!!,” the president-elect wrote.
Freeland’s resignation hours before she was set to release the fall economic statement sparked political turmoil yesterday with many left wondering and calling on Trudeau to step down.
On Monday afternoon, NDP leader Jagmeet Singh said the Liberal party is “fighting for themselves rather than for Canadians…[and] for that reason today, I am calling on Justin Trudeau to resign.”
Earlier in the day, leader of the opposition, Pierre Poilievre, urged Trudeau to step aside saying “Mr. Trudeau is being held in office by one man…why is Jagmeet Singh making the entire country wait for him to get his pension?.”
Former Climate Minister, Catherine McKenna wrote on X Tuesday morning that every Liberal minister should be calling on Trudeau to resign.
“He doesn’t get to spend Christmas thinking about his future,” she wrote, adding that the surest way for the Conservatives to win a majority and undo progress is for him to stay.
Time for Liberal MPs (including and especially Ministers) to tell the PM that it's over. pic.twitter.com/lyPkDyjxNh
— Catherine McKenna (@cathmckenna) December 17, 2024
The prime minister’s popularity among the electorate has been plummeting in the polls for some time, which was echoed by a heckler who approached Trudeau on Monday evening and yelled, “What gives you the right to stay in office? You failed Canada. You’ve ruined our country, you’re done!”
🚨BREAKING: Justin Trudeau shouted down by protester as reporters ask if he will step down amid rumors that he will resign:
— Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) December 17, 2024
“What gives you there right to stay in office? You FAILED Canada. You’ve ruined our country, you’re DONE!”
pic.twitter.com/2Bk4vUv51a
Some political leaders across the country are also voicing their calls for his resignation.
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith said a general election needs to be called following the instability caused by Freeland’s exit, and that it falls on Canada’s premiers to provide stability over the holiday period and in the lead up to Trump assuming office.
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith calls for a federal election, citing government instability after the Chrystia Freeland’s resignation and the need for stable leadership to address U.S. tariffs. pic.twitter.com/ThtemznjLt
— True North (@TrueNorthCentre) December 16, 2024
In addition, Andrew Scheer, member of Parliament for Regina—Qu’Appelle, released a video on Monday saying the government was in “shambles.”
Trudeau’s government is in shambles.
— Andrew Scheer (@AndrewScheer) December 17, 2024
Crime, drugs, immigration, the deficit, the border, our relationship with the USA… Everything is out of control.
Call an election now. pic.twitter.com/7SQF66vHXK
