Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is locked in a pitched political battle regarding his retention of office in the face of blistering criticism from within his own cabinet and Members of Parliament, with some reports that he is considering resignation. 

The firestorm was kicked off early Monday morning as his finance minister, Chrystia Freeland, announced her resignation via letter.

See my letter to the Prime Minister below // Veuillez trouver ma lettre au Premier ministre ci-dessous pic.twitter.com/NMMMcXUh7A

— Chrystia Freeland (@cafreeland) December 16, 2024

The letter references Trudeau's suggestion Friday that he no longer wished for Freeland to serve as finance minister, though he did leave open a different cabinet position. It reads in part: 

For the past number of weeks, you and I have found ourselves at odds about the best path forward for Canada. 

Our country today faces a grave challenge. The incoming administration in the United States is pursuing a policy of aggressive economic nationalism, including a threat of 25 per cent tariffs.

We need to take that threat extremely seriously. That means keeping our fiscal powder dry today, so we have the reserves we may need for a coming tariff war. That means eschewing costly political gimmicks, which we can ill afford and which make Canadians doubt that we recognize the gravity of the moment. 

That means pushing back against 'America First' economic nationalism with a determined effort to fight for capital and investment and the jobs they bring. That means working in good faith and humility with the Premieres of the provinces and territories of our great and diverse country, and building a true Team Canada response.

Weeks after winning reelection in early November, President-elect Donald Trump announced his willingness to enact significant tariffs on imports from Canada and Mexico. Days later, Trudeau high-tailed it to Mar-a-Lago to discuss the issue in person with Trump, a move that some in his party have taken issue with. 

Trump Pledges Tariffs on Canada, Mexico, and China in Sweeping Trade Policy Announcement

Canada's Trudeau Has Now Crawled to Mar-a-Lago to Chat With Trump About Tariffs

Liberal MP Francis Drouin calls on Justin Trudeau to resignpic.twitter.com/cUzrjaIcff

— Harrison Faulkner (@Harry__Faulkner) December 16, 2024

A second Liberal MP has come forward in publicly demanding Trudeau's RESIGNATION pic.twitter.com/4M6I8DXAOj

— The Pleb 🌍 Reporter (@truckdriverpleb) December 16, 2024

This, in turn, has spurred reports that Trudeau is, in fact, considering prorogation (ending a term of Parliament) if not outright resignation. 

Sources tell CTV News that the prime minister has conveyed to cabinet that he is considering prorogation or resignation, and he’s potentially planning to address Parliament this afternoon.

Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre has also weighed in on the issue, noting: 

“All this chaos and division, all these weaknesses are emerging,” while a potential tariff war is emerging with the United States, he said.

“Everything has gotten out of control,” he said, making an appeal to the “patriotic” Liberal voters across the country to abandon their support for their party.

“You are good and decent patriotic people who have been let down,” he said, before ostensibly asking for their vote.

“Now is the time for a carbon-tax election,” he said. “Let's bring it home.”

The premiers are discussing the matter during a Question Period Monday afternoon:

Question period is now underway, with Liberal MPs thanking Freeland for her service as finance minister, while opposition members took jabs at the party and repeated calls for an election.

"I have a question for the finance minister. Who are you?" asked Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, to jeers and laughs from his party.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is not present.

This is a developing story. RedState will continue to monitor it and bring you updates as they become available.