MNI BRIEF: Trudeau Has Second Minister Resign In Two Months
MNI (OTTAWA) - Justin Trudeau saw his second minister resign in two months on Thursday, adding to signs the Liberal government is weakening after a decade in office as pressure mounts from Conservatives leading in the polls and voter anger over the cost of living.
Quebec lieutenant and Transport Minister Pablo Rodriguez is leaving to seek the leadership of that province's Liberal Party, after serving since 2017 as a key federal minister. That comes after Seamus O'Regan, one of his most prominent ministers from Atlantic Canada, stepped down as labour minister for personal reasons, and the Liberal national campaign manager recently quit. (See: MNI INTERVIEW: Trudeau Deficit Cap Strained By Election Threat) The federal Liberals this week also lost a by-election in a Quebec district they had held for decades.