After days of tumult, what’s next for Trudeau? His options, explained

The Liberal government has been thrown in disarray by Chrystia Freeland's sudden resignation from cabinet. Here's what Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's options look like.

The Liberal government was thrown into disarray this week when Chrystia Freeland stepped down from cabinet as finance minister, reviving calls for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to step down or call an election.

Way down in the polls with 2025 set as an election year and no signs of a Liberal recovery on the horizon, Trudeau is facing a key moment where he must decide whether he should stay or go.

Here’s a look at some of the scenarios and possibilities the Liberals now face:

Carlene Variyan of Summa Strategies, a former senior Liberal staffer, said a lot is hinging on what the prime minister does “in the next 24 hours.”

She said if Trudeau wants to remain prime minister, he should move to solidify his cabinet as soon as possible and shore up the Canada-U.S. relations team by showing he’s reorienting toward focusing on the Trump relationship.

“He needs to signal to his cabinet, to caucus and to the country that he remains firmly in control of his government,” she said, adding that Trudeau must also replace the ministers who announced months ago they will not seek reelection.

The behind-the-scenes chatter in Ottawa political circles about a looming cabinet shuffle as soon as Wednesday died down after Freeland abruptly resigned from cabinet on Monday.

The Liberals may now be waiting for the heat to die down before moving to shuffle their front bench and get new ministers in place to deal with the incoming Trump administration, which is threatening to wallop Canada with 25 per cent tariffs.