Freeland says Trudeau can ‘speak for himself’ on whether she’ll stay on as finance minister

Asked by reporters whether she’s been assured by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau that she’ll stay on as finance minister, Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland said Tuesday that it’s “for the prime minister to speak for himself.”

Freeland also acknowledged that she had a “long conversation” with Trudeau on Friday and spent time with him on Saturday and Monday at events and meetings.

“What I will say to everyone here, speaking for myself, is I do have the confidence that I need to do my job effectively,” she said.

Last week, the Globe and Mail reported that senior officials in the PMO, including chief of staff Katie Telford, have concerns about Freeland’s ability to sell the government’s economic message as the Liberals struggle to reverse a long slump in the polls.

Trudeau offered a public defence of Freeland after that report was published. He told reporters last week he has “full confidence in her abilities and the work we’re going to be doing together.”

When asked whether Trudeau has raised concerns privately about her job performance, Freeland said the “prime minister’s views are really something you should ask the prime minister about.”

Freeland also said it is “a huge privilege to serve Canada and Canadians as your finance minister and deputy prime minister.”

A senior government source has told CBC News that Freeland is not resonating with voters in the way the PMO had hoped. The source added that such tensions are to be expected when the government is facing headwinds.

Freeland asked about Mark Carney’s future

Rumours have been circulating about internal discussions in government circles regarding recruiting former Bank of Canada governor Mark Carney as finance minister.

Trudeau said last week that he has been talking with Carney “for years now about getting him to join federal politics.”

“I think he’d be an outstanding addition at a time when Canadians need good people to step up in politics,” he added.

When asked whether she has encouraged Carney to run for the Liberals, Freeland said she speaks with Carney “often” and has known him “for a very long time.”

“I am really glad that he has come out as a Liberal and I’m grateful for any support he can offer our party, our government and our country,” she said.

A Liberal MP, who spoke on the condition they not be named, has told CBC News they believe the general mood in caucus indicates a desire for change, including to how the government communicates on issues like affordability. They added the communications problems are not limited to Freeland.

The MP also told CBC they haven’t heard from caucus members calling for Freeland to be moved out of finance.