London Ont. Liberal MPs say that Trudeau is taking time to reflect on his future

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau added eight Liberal MPs to his front bench and reassigned four ministers in a cabinet shuffle in Ottawa on Friday.

The shuffle comes after Chrystia Freeland's resignation as finance minister and deputy prime minister sent shock waves in Canadian politics and intensified calls for the prime minister to step down.

Both of London’s Liberal MPs are choosing their words carefully when it comes to their party's leadership future. They were asked about the situation in Ottawa at Friday's housing announcement in London.

"The Prime Minister will decide at the right time what he wants to do,” said London West MP Arielle Kayabaga. “As long as he remains as the leader of the next campaign, in the next election, I support him in that."

In a brief comment to the media on Friday afternoon, Trudeau indicated that with exactly one month until incoming U.S. President Donald Trump takes office, his focus is on preparing for that transition, “We know how important it is for Canadians that we be there to protect not just the Canadian economy, but their jobs, the cost of living challenge that they're facing that could get even worse. We have a lot of work to do and that's what we're focused on."

Though, before the ceremony to recognize the new ministers was underway, Trudeau was dealt a major blow to the last remaining pillar of parliamentary support his embattled minority was relying on to stay in power. NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh dropped a letter declaring that his party will be moving a motion of non-confidence in the new year.

NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh speaks at a media availability in the Foyer of the House of Commons on Parliament Hill, in Ottawa, on Monday, Dec. 16, 2024. (Source: The Canadian Press/Justin Tang)

London North Centre MP Peter Fragiskatos also chose his words carefully in comments on Friday, “My view on this is very simple, that the Prime Minister is taking the time to reflect on his future. I think it is important for him to do so, and too at the very heart of that reflection, an understanding, a fundamental understanding that no one individual is bigger than the Liberal Party of Canada and no one individual is bigger than this country."

Throughout his shuffles, Trudeau has sought to uphold gender parity and balance regional representation as best as possible. His current front bench does maintain an equal number of men and women: 19, when not counting the prime minister, for a total of 38 ministers.

- With files from the Canadian Press, CTV News’ Rachel Aiello