Canadian Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister. Chrystia Freeland unexpectedly resigned from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's cabinet, hours before she was to deliver the government's autumn economic statement.
This abrupt step has sent shockwaves through the Trudeau government, at a time when the Liberal Party is facing a crisis and may prove damaging to the government's economic agenda.
Freeland indicated in her letter to Trudeau, which later circulated on social media, that she had "no choice but to resign" after the PM told her on 13th December, Friday that he wanted a new cabinet portfolio for her.
"Upon reflection, I have concluded that the only honest and viable path is for me to resign," she wrote. She went on to criticise the government's "expensive political gimmickry" while calling on the Prime Minister to adopt a collaborative approach with provincial leaders to address economic challenges, including possible tariffs from US President-elect Donald Trump.
In the letter, the minister admitted that she had some unfortunate encounters with the Prime Minister recently, hitting out at his style of governing as well.
An official source from the government confirmed that the announcement came as a surprise to many.
Just last week, at an event celebrating women in politics, the PM lauded Freeland as Canada's first female minister of finance and reaffirmed his dedication to feminism.
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