Monday morning began with truly shocking news, and what may be the final nail in the Liberal coffin: the resignation of Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland as deputy prime minister and minister of finance. It is eerily similar to certain previous resignations and shows an ongoing pattern of disrespect for cabinet ministers (and women) within the current Prime Minister’s Office (PMO).
As a former staffer for Trudeau’s only other finance minister, Bill Morneau, I can personally attest to the damaging effects of this culture. In 2021, I experienced firsthand how the untamed whispers and engineered leaks from senior PMO staff undermined Morneau’s credibility as he worked to safeguard our economy amid the COVID crisis. While Morneau was focused on properly investing taxpayer funds, the PMO was hyper-fixated on spending it. The treatment of Freeland can only be viewed through the same lens — a disturbing trend that has turned what should be one of the most respected offices in the country into a circus.
This trend is not just alarming; it is symptomatic of a toxic culture within the PMO that disregards the invaluable contributions of its cabinet.
In recent months, speculation about a cabinet shuffle has run rampant, with whispers of Freeland being sidelined in favour of former Bank of Canada and Bank of England governor Mark Carney. The public reports of escalating tensions between Freeland and the PMO have made the situation all the more familiar — and dire. Freeland’s resignation letter left no room for misinterpretation: “On Friday, you told me you no longer want me to serve as your Finance Minister.”
This is not just a political move; it is a revealing moment that exposes the hypocrisy of a prime minister who just last week criticized Americans for electing Donald Trump, arguing that such a choice would undermine women’s advancements. This recent turn of events starkly contrasts his recent remarks and raises serious questions about his commitment to supporting female leaders in his cabinet.
The dismissal of a senior minister demonstrates the prime minister’s inability or unwillingness to self-reflect and reveals an alarming trend of prioritizing political manoeuvring over the contributions of elected officials. PMO staff are not elected representatives; they exist to serve the government and its ministers — not to undermine them for political gain. Their current mode of operation — behind-the-scenes leaks and public attacks — is both unacceptable and embarrassing. It’s time they stop hiding behind anonymous sources and public assaults, and take a deep look at how they’ve compromised the honour of their office.
The prime minister’s and PMO’s handling of Freeland also reveals a disturbing pattern of sidelining anyone who dares to disagree with him or his inner circle. At a time when Canada needs steady and principled leadership, the actions of the prime minister and his office are not only misguided — they are a betrayal of the very values he claims to uphold.
Freeland’s resignation has sent shockwaves through the Liberal Party, already reeling from slipping poll numbers and mounting discontent within its base. But what makes these speculations fascinating is not just their timing, but what they reveal about the broader identity crisis facing the Liberal Party today.
When it comes to the rumoured appointment of Carney as the next finance minister, who on Earth is advising him that now is the time to take a cabinet position? I hold deep respect for Carney’s intelligence and experience — qualities sorely needed today — but one must wonder what advice he’s receiving that makes him believe now is the right time to step into a cabinet role. Taking an unelected seat at the table would not only alienate the MPs who have fought hard for their positions, but would also send a message that their hard work is secondary to that of a “celebrity” appointee.
While Freeland’s departure makes Carney’s path to the Department of Finance less cumbersome, if I were advising Carney, I’d urge him to run far away. And frankly, get new advisors who aren’t drinking the Trudeau-Liberal Kool-Aid. The Liberal base is crying out for a return to centrist liberalism, free from the distractions of virtue signalling and out-of-touch rhetoric that the current administration is hell-bent on. Jumping into a role now, under a PMO increasingly seen as detached and reactive, will tarnish Carney’s long-term political prospects.
There’s an old saying: fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me. It’s safe to say that the Trudeau cabinet is once again in turmoil, as they have now been misled yet again. The prime minister has moved to discard the same minister he once brought in, employing the same tactics that were used to undermine Morneau, my former boss.
In 2020, PMO staff attempted to subvert his character, launching a barrage of leaked stories that flooded the headlines week after week. While this onslaught took a significant toll on Morneau, his family and his team, the real victims of this political manoeuvring were Canadians. They do not elect politicians to engage in palace intrigue; they elect them to foster an economy where families can thrive, workers can succeed and dignity is not just a buzzword.
Describing Freeland’s tenure as polarizing would be an understatement. Her communication skills have faltered, and her policy record — especially concerning the economy — has faced substantial criticism. However, it is her treatment by senior PMO staff, who have reportedly sought to discredit her through anonymous sources in the press, that stands out most strikingly.
This kind of behaviour is not just unfair; it is corrosive. For a government that once took pride in its feminist principles, permitting backroom character assassination is more than a misstep — it is a deliberate attempt to undermine a minister of the Crown.
In the days ahead, the prime minister will face a critical juncture. He must determine the direction he wishes to take, and quickly. If the internal whisperers and power brokers genuinely care about the future of both the party and the country, it may be time for a period of reflection and recalibration. Canada deserves far more than the gamesmanship and leaks that have characterized the current environment; it deserves authentic, principled leadership that prioritizes the needs of citizens.
National Post
Sharan Kaur is a Partner at Sovereign Advisory and a former deputy chief of staff for Finance Minister Bill Morneau.