Ottawa:
Soon after Chrystia Freeland’s sudden resignation, her cabinet colleague Dominic LeBlanc was sworn in as Canada’s new Finance Minister. Mr LeBlanc, a long-time ally of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, served as Public Safety Minister in his cabinet. The move comes at a time when Canada is grappling with a Can$62 billion deficit — about Can$22 billion more than initially projected– due to “unexpected expenses.”
In his new role, LeBlanc, 57, will be at the forefront of managing the ongoing economic challenges, including navigating the looming threat of US tariffs. The US is Canada’s main trading partner, with 75 per cent of its exports each year going to its southern neighbour.
About Dominic LeBlanc
Since the Liberal Party’s victory in 2015, he has held multiple key cabinet positions and recently contributed significantly to creating Canada’s billion-dollar border program as the government’s public safety head and senior cabinet minister. The strategy was designed to address US concerns about migration and narcotics.
Seen as Justin Trudeau’s trusted confidant, Dominic LeBlanc accompanied the Canadian Prime Minister to Florida last month to meet with US President-elect Donald Trump, underscoring his prominent role in international negotiations.
Chrystia Freeland’s Resignation
Canadian Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland’s sudden resignation on Monday triggered political chaos and raised questions about the future of Prime Minister Trudeau’s leadership. Freeland, who was clashing with Mr Trudeau on issues including how to handle possible US tariffs, said she was quitting because the Prime Minister asked her to take on a lesser post after the two had been arguing for weeks over spending.
The resignation of Freeland, 56, who also served as deputy prime minister, was one of the biggest crises Mr Trudeau has faced since taking power in November 2015. It also leaves him without a key ally when he is on track to lose the next election to the official opposition Conservatives.
