Jagmeet Singh, leader of Canada’s New Democratic Party, has urged Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to step down after Chrystia Freeland resigned from her roles as Finance Minister and Deputy Prime Minister on Monday. However, Singh did not call for an election or withdraw his party’s support for Trudeau’s minority government.

“People are having a very hard time paying for groceries. Young people can’t find affordable housing,” Singh said at a press conference. “Instead of dealing with issues that are important for Canadians, the Prime Minister is dealing with fighting in his own party. It’s clear that the Prime Minister cannot continue,” Singh added. Freeland, who was also deputy prime minister, said Trudeau offered her another position in Cabinet and asked her to resign as finance minister on Friday. 

"The only honest and viable path for me is to leave the Cabinet," Freeland stated in her letter of resignation. She called it a "grave challenge" that calls for fiscal restraint and encouraged the government to concentrate on reacting to US President-elect Donald Trump's proposed 25% tariffs. “Why is Jagmeet Singh making the entire country wait for him to get his pension? That is the question today,” Poilievre said. Pierre Poilievre, the Conservative leader, slammed Singh for sticking with Trudeau's administration in spite of the escalating unrest. 

“Justin Trudeau has lost control, but he’s hanging onto power,” he said. Poilievre also emphasised the risks posed by Trump’s planned tariffs, describing them as a significant threat to Canadian jobs. “Our largest neighbour and closest ally is imposing 25% tariffs under a recently elected Trump with a strong mandate, a man who knows how to identify weakness,” he said. Poilievre stated that he plans to push for a non-confidence vote to bring down the Trudeau government following Chrystia Freeland's resignation announcement.