Chrystia Freeland says she has the “confidence” she needs to continue serving as deputy prime minister and finance minister, after reports of “tension” between her and the prime minister’s office over her handling of the economic file.
“To serve as minister in a cabinet, you do need the support and confidence of the prime minister. That is especially true for the deputy prime minister and finance minister,” Freeland said Tuesday at a news conference in Markham, Ont.
“I do have the confidence that I need to do my job.”
But Freeland did not answer when asked whether the prime minister offered her assurances she will stay on as finance minister.
“The prime minister is a very eloquent man and leader and it’s for the prime minister to speak for himself,” she said.
Freeland revealed that she had a “long conversation” with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau Friday, and spent “a lot” of time with him over the weekend at events in Mississauga and Brampton, Ont.
Freeland faced repeated questions about her political future but responded saying “I spend very little time feeling sorry for myself.”
“I know that there are millions and millions and millions of Canadians who work much harder than any of the dignitaries standing behind this podium and who do it for less money and less acclaim.”
The speculation stems from a report in the Globe and Mail about the currently “tense” relationship between the finance minister and prime minister’s office.
According to the Globe, the PMO says Freeland has been “ineffective at selling the government’s economic policies” as the Liberals’ popularity continues to tank.
The Globe and previous reporting from the Toronto Star said the former governor of the Bank of Canada and the Bank of England Mark Carney is being recruited as Freeland’s possible successor.
Trudeau was asked about the prospect of replacing Freeland with Carney last week at the NATO summit in Washington, D.C.
The prime minister did not deny the possibility, saying Carney would be an “outstanding addition” and that he has been talking to him for years about joining federal politics.
But Trudeau insisted Freeland has his “full confidence.”
“In regards to Chrystia, she has been a close friend and ally and partner in doing really big things for Canada and will continue to be,” he told reporters Thursday.
On Tuesday, Freeland said she speaks to Carney, who is her son’s godfather, often and is “grateful” for any “support” he can offer the Liberals.
She also highlighted what she called “good news” for Canadian economy, pointing to inflation falling to 2.7 per cent last month.
Freeland tabled her fourth federal budget last April, pledging billions in spending as a bid to improve “generational fairness” particularly for millennial and Gen-Z Canadians.
The budget included a contentious plan to raise the inclusion rate on some capital gains, which has faced opposition from some business groups.
The Liberal government has been under mounting pressure in the face of sagging poll numbers and a stunning defeat in the party’s former stronghold of Toronto-St Paul’s last month to reverse their political fortunes.
Trudeau himself has faced calls, including from one Liberal MP and a former cabinet minister, to resign.
— with files from Craig Lord and the Canadian Press