Cabinet minister who is quitting voices confidence in Trudeau

Four of Canada's outgoing cabinet members said Friday they have confidence in Liberal Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, downplaying polls predicting a big defeat for the Liberal Party in the next election.

Northern Affairs Minister Dan Wendall said he needed a break after 30 years in politics. He and three other ministers from the 38-member cabinet will soon step down after announcing that they no longer intend to run for office.

"It doesn't mean I've lost faith in the party or the prime minister," Vandal told reporters in Winnipeg, Manitoba. "In fact, I'm pretty sure the polls will change over time and I think it's a mistake to vote against the Liberal Party."

Canadian media have reported that a group of Liberal lawmakers plans to call on Trudeau to step down next week as voter fatigue mounts after nine years in power. Polls show that the conservative party, which is right-wing, will easily win the next election, which must be held by the end of October 2025.

Responding to reports of infighting, Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland said there was a wide range of opinions within the party, but she was confident the majority of Liberals supported Trudeau.

The Conservatives blame the Liberals for inflation caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, which led the Bank of Canada to raise interest rates to their highest level in 20 years.

"It was a really tough time and it still is," Freeland said. He also noted that inflation is now below the central bank's 2 percent target. It is expected that the central bank will reduce the interest rate by 50 basis points next week.

"There are real discounts now and more to come, and that's important to Canadians," he added.

news source