Justin Trudeau has the full support of his cabinet to continue as Canada’s prime minister, newly appointed Finance Minister Dominic LeBlanc told reporters on Thursday.
LeBlanc, who was in New Brunswick, was asked during a news conference whether Trudeau has the full support of his cabinet to remain after the political tumult within the government in recent days since the former minister of Finance Chrystia Freeland.
“Yes,” LeBlanc said in response.
LeBlanc was also asked if he would consider the opportunity to lead the country if given the opportunity.
“If the prime minister has the full support of his cabinet, why should we contemplate what will happen after he decides to leave?” said.
When asked about Liberal MPs who have expressed a lack of confidence in Trudeau, LeBlanc said: “They, in a caucus meeting, expressed those opinions directly to the prime minister himself. “He listened, in some cases responded to specific things that were raised and said he would reflect carefully on what he had heard.”
Justice Minister Arif Virani, who held a news conference Thursday morning in Toronto, did not directly say whether Trudeau has his confidence to continue as prime minister.
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“I have absolute confidence in his guidance towards the work he has entrusted to me,” Virani said.
On Monday, Freeland’s resignation as finance minister just hours before the fall economic statement was due to be presented plunged the Trudeau government into chaos.
LeBlanc, who has been in Cabinet since 2015 and has been an MP since 2000, was sworn in at Rideau Hall to serve as finance minister on Monday.
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