Justin Trudeau’s Political Crisis Deepens. Key Ally Jagmeet Singh Says ‘Will Vote to Topple Him.’ Can Trudeau Hold On?

Back in 2015, Justin Trudeau swept into office with promises and a fresh approach for Canada. Fast forward nearly a decade, and the shine has faded. Now, Trudeau’s government faces mounting turmoil, capped off by the sudden resignation of one of his closest allies over how to handle U.S. President-elect Donald Trump’s looming tariff threats.

The abrupt exit of Chrystia Freeland—finance minister, deputy prime minister, and longtime Trudeau confidante—shocked Canadians. Her parting shot? A public critique of Trudeau’s leadership, accusing him of mishandling one of the most pressing challenges facing the country.
This political bombshell has left Trudeau’s already fragile grip on power hanging by a thread. Calls for him to step aside are growing louder, even from within his own party.

Jagmeet Singh’s Final Call

And now, Jagmeet Singh, leader of the New Democratic Party (NDP), has delivered another blow. Singh announced that he plans to introduce a motion to topple Trudeau’s government in the new year, marking a major shift in their political relationship.

For years, Singh’s NDP has propped up Trudeau’s minority government, securing support for shared priorities. But that alliance seems to be over. Singh’s decision to back a non-confidence vote means Trudeau now faces a united opposition determined to bring him down.

In a post on X, Singh didn’t mince words: “The Liberals don’t deserve another chance.” He promised to table a clear motion of non-confidence when Parliament reconvenes.

Canada’s next election isn’t officially due until October, but a successful non-confidence vote could force an earlier one if most MPs back it. With all three major opposition parties now calling for Trudeau’s resignation, the odds are stacked against him.

The House of Commons is currently on its holiday break and won’t be back in session until late January. But when MPs return, the political stakes will be sky-high.

The Brewing Trouble

Meanwhile, Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre isn’t holding back either—he’s been calling for an election as soon as possible. Bloc Québécois leader Yves-François Blanchet is also pushing for a confidence vote, saying it’s the only way to trigger an early election in 2025.

Adding to Justin Trudeau’s headaches, Jagmeet Singh’s announcement marks yet another blow in what’s been a disastrous week so far for the prime minister.

While, Freeland’s exit was abrupt and dramatic. Hours before she was supposed to deliver an economic statement, she publicly resigned, citing major disagreements with Trudeau over the “best path forward for Canada.” Her frustration stems from tariff threats by U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, who has promised to slap a 25% levy on Canadian imports unless there’s progress on securing the shared border.

Economists are already sounding the alarm, warning that these tariffs could seriously damage Canada’s economy. Freeland called the situation a “grave challenge” and accused Trudeau of focusing on “costly political gimmicks” instead of keeping Canada’s finances in check.

The fallout has been swift. Trudeau is now facing mounting pressure to step down, even from his own Liberal Party. According to The Globe and Mail, at least 19 out of 153 Liberal MPs have publicly urged him to resign.

One of the latest voices is Robert Oliphant, a Toronto MP representing Don Valley West. In a public letter on Friday, Oliphant acknowledged the positive impact of the Liberal government over the past nine years but said Trudeau’s leadership has become a “key obstacle” to the party’s future success.

So far, Trudeau hasn’t addressed these calls to resign. Insiders say he plans to use the holiday break to reflect on his next move.
In the meantime, Trudeau has tried to show he’s still in control. He quickly appointed a replacement for Freeland and scheduled a cabinet shuffle to fill other vacancies, as several ministers have already announced they won’t be running for re-election next year.

From Star To Ashes

Justin Trudeau’s journey from a celebrated leader to a prime minister under fire is nothing short of dramatic. The eldest son of Pierre Trudeau—one of Canada’s most iconic prime ministers—Justin swept to power in 2015, leading the Liberal Party to a decisive parliamentary majority.

As one of Canada’s youngest-ever leaders, Trudeau became a global symbol of progressive values, often seen as the antithesis to Donald Trump during his first term as U.S. president. However, after back-to-back election wins in 2019 and 2021, Trudeau’s popularity has been on a steady decline. Canadians are growing frustrated over political scandals, broken promises, and economic challenges.

A particularly viral moment captured this shift: a steelworker confronted Trudeau about the rising cost of living, saying bluntly, “You’re not really doing anything for us, Justin.” That single exchange seemed to sum up what many Canadians were feeling.

The cracks in Trudeau’s leadership deepened recently when the Liberal Party lost historically safe seats in by-elections. Even members of his own caucus began suggesting it might be time for him to step aside.

The numbers also tell a harsh story. According to polls, more Canadians now view incoming U.S. President Donald Trump more favorably (26%) than Trudeau (23%). For context, in 2020, only 11% of Canadians had a positive opinion of Trump.

What Sparked the Latest Crisis—and Where Does Trump Fit In?

Chrystia Freeland’s resignation has sent shockwaves through Canadian politics. Freeland played a critical role in negotiating the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement during the first Trump administration. Therefore, her exit isn’t just being viewed as a political event—but seismic.

Tari Ajadi, assistant professor of political science at McGill University, likened it to a U.S. vice president stepping down—not quietly, but with a public rebuke of the government’s direction and a prediction of electoral defeat.

Can Trudeau Stay in Power?

Justin Trudeau, for now, insists he’s staying put as prime minister. But he’s said little about Freeland’s departure, a silence that speaks volumes.

Experts on the other hand, are skeptical about his chances of recovery.

“I just don’t see how he recovers,” said Tyler Chamberlin of the University of Ottawa’s Telfer School of Management. David Coletto of Abacus Data was even more blunt: “If it was almost impossible for him to come back, this basically makes it impossible now.”

Freeland’s resignation has exposed deep divisions within Trudeau’s Liberal Party. At least seven MPs have publicly called for him to step down, with more voicing concerns privately. And it’s not just his party—leaders of all three opposition parties are demanding Trudeau’s resignation.

With Canada’s next federal election legally due by next October, Trudeau’s options are dwindling. A no-confidence vote or early election could hasten his exit. Polls suggest that if an election were held today, Pierre Poilievre’s opposition Conservative Party would claim a decisive victory.

India’s Context

Justin Trudeau’s strained relationship with India, particularly with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, also garnered steam.

The tensions escalated in 2023 after Trudeau publicly accused the Indian government of being involved in the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Canadian citizen and prominent Khalistani separatist.

India vehemently denied the allegations, calling them baseless, and retaliated by suspending visa services for Canadians and expelling Canadian diplomats.

The situation worsened as both leaders engaged in a public diplomatic spat, with Modi reportedly criticizing Trudeau during the G20 Summit in Delhi for his government’s perceived leniency towards Khalistani groups. Trudeau, meanwhile, doubled down on his commitment to free speech, even as the controversy strained trade negotiations and deepened mistrust.

For Trudeau, this feud has not only hurt Canada’s ties with a key partner in Asia but also raised questions domestically about his handling of foreign relations. The fallout continues to cast a shadow over his already embattled leadership.

What Does The Latest Debacle Mean for Canada?

Canada, often seen as a bastion of stability, now is in the midst of a political turmoil. Ajadi described the situation as “disarray” for a country typically viewed as a “boring middle power.”

Freeland’s departure is a loss not just for Trudeau but for Canada. With Trump promising tariffs and throwing barbs at Trudeau, the absence of a skilled negotiator like Freeland could weaken Canada’s hand.

The incoming U.S. president hasn’t held back, taking to Truth Social to mock Trudeau and Canada. Referring to the prime minister as “Governor Justin Trudeau,” Trump said, “The Great State of Canada is stunned as the Finance Minister resigns, or was fired… She will not be missed!!!”

The situation is in sharp contrast to the evening in 1984 when Trudeau’s father, Pierre, famously took a reflective walk through an Ottawa snowstorm before deciding to resign as prime minister.

Now, with snow blanketing much of Canada, it might be time for Justin Trudeau to take his own walk.

Justin Trudeau’s troubles are mounting at a pace that even his critics couldn’t have predicted. Can he weather the storm, or is this the end of his nearly decade-long leadership?