Dear Editor:
You kindly published an “election prediction” of mine on April 14, 2022. Making political predictions are foolish, but at that time I thought the Americans might elect a female president in 2024. They did come close, but ultimately failed to do so.
Also I surmised the Conservatives in 2022 might elect as their new leader a woman, but they didn’t.
When I looked to the Liberals back in 2022, I also thought if Justin Trudeau didn’t seek re-election in 2025, Chrystia Freeland would be an obvious choice. Her position as finance minister and deputy minister as well as her successful conclusion of our free trade negotiations with the U.S. and Mexico was a no-brainer. She obviously had the smarts.
But in December 2024, Chrystia Freeland resigned over a disagreement with the office of the prime minister, as is the right of any minister and especially the finance minister when it comes to the financial management of the country.
The fall financial statement in 2024 was the proverbial “straw that broke the camel’s back” as well as Trudeau’s decision to remove her from her substantial portfolio. I applaud her because of her integrity. Others might disagree.
Maybe Chrystia Freeland isn’t the person the Liberals want to lead them into the next election. They have other strong male and female members on their team, but do they have the courage to speak out while the prime minister is still in office or are they “keeping their powder dry” in order to keep in good standing with the Liberal elite and safeguard their own chances to become the next leader of the Liberal Party? I think the answer to that is clear.
Janet Calderwood,
Rockwood