Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will meet with his cabinet on Friday for the first time since a surprise byelection loss in a Toronto-area riding, multiple sources have told CBC News.
The sources cautioned the meeting is expected to be quick and virtual, and to focus on clearing up unfilled appointments. Governor-in-council appointments must be approved by cabinet.
Over the past few weeks, several Liberal MPs have called on Trudeau publicly and privately to hold a substantive meeting to discuss the party’s path forward after the Liberals lost a byelection in Toronto–St. Paul’s, a riding they’d held for more than 30 years.
Multiple MPs specifically requested a full Liberal caucus meeting this summer, including Newfoundland and Labrador MP Ken McDonald and Calgary Skyview MP George Chahal.
But in early July, the Liberal Party’s caucus chair Brenda Shanahan told MPs that request was “impossible” due to “scheduling logistics” and said individual and group meetings would continue ahead of the caucus retreat set for September.
Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland says she has had conversations with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, including a long one on Friday, but would not say whether she received assurances on whether or not she will stay on as Canada’s finance minister. Freeland was asked the questions amid reports about tensions with the Prime Minister’s Office.
Trudeau said in early July that he’s “engaging” with MPs individually to “talk about how we make sure we’re continuing our work connecting with Canadians, to make sure we’re continuing to deliver for people.”
Rumours are swirling over the future of Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland. The Globe and Mail reported last week Freeland is being scrutinized by senior officials in the Prime Minister’s Office over her ability to sell the government’s economic message as it tries to reverse a slump in the polls.
Trudeau offered a public defence of Freeland after that report was published. He told reporters last week he has “full confidence in her abilities and the work we’re going to be doing together.”
On Tuesday, Freeland acknowledged she had a “long conversation” with Trudeau on Friday and spent time with him on Saturday and Monday at events and meetings.
“What I will say to everyone here, speaking for myself, is I do have the confidence that I need to do my job effectively,” Freeland said.
