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From: Rhino <no_offline_contact@example.com>
Newsgroups: rec.arts.tv
Subject: [OT] Major drama in Ottawa today
Date: Mon, 16 Dec 2024 14:09:51 -0500
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The Finance Minister (and Deputy Prime Minister) Chrystia Freeland 
resigned unexpected today, just hours before she was to give the annual 
Fall Economic Statement (basically a mini-budget). This brings to NINE 
the number of cabinet members who have resigned in recent months. (The 
eighth, Sean Fraser, who was considered a rising star and potential 
prime minister material, also resigned today, swearing that it was 
because he wanted to spend more time with his young family.)

Freeland was told on Friday that she was going to lose her job as 
Finance Minister in the imminent cabinet shuffle and apparently decided 
that she couldn't endure that after her unswerving loyalty to Trudeau so 
she left the cabinet altogether but says she's staying on as a caucus 
member. At least one analyst feels sure that she'll be running for the 
leadership of the Liberal party after Trudeau is gone.

This puts Trudeau in a very difficult spot. There are leaks to the 
effect that the deficit target of $40 billion was far exceeded and is 
actually a bit over $60 billion which would raise a lot of anger in this 
country and hurt the Liberals. Trudeau apparently wanted Freeland to 
tell the country and, in effect, take the blame, but she chose a 
different path. It is now an open question whether the Fall Economic 
Statement will still be delivered today and, if so, who will deliver it.

Several analysts have argued that Trudeau can't wiggle out of this. Some 
are suggesting that this would be the perfect moment for the NDP, which 
is propping up the Liberals, to join the other opposition parties in a 
vote of non-confidence which would ensure an election.

That would make a WONDERFUL Christmas present for Canadians but I'm 
skeptical it will happen. I think Trudeau is more likely to prorogue 
(suspend parliament) for a few months to give himself some breathing 
space to rebuild what he can. I hope I'm wrong and that he now FINALLY 
understands that he is DONE. (The vast majority of Canadians despise him 
AND his party.) Then he can step down and let the Liberals choose a new 
leader to lead them into the next election. They'll still lose with a 
new leader but maybe not QUITE as badly.

-- 
Rhino