He had headed off a caucus revolt in October 2024 over concerns about his unpopularity amid Canada's cost-of-living crisis and rising Conservative poll numbers.

On 20 November 2024, Alberta MP Randy Boissonnault resigned from the Cabinet following allegations that he ran a business seeking federal contracts and falsely claimed to be Indigenous.

[12] On 15 December 2024, housing minister Sean Fraser announced his intention to leave the federal cabinet, citing family reasons.

[17] Freeland referred to the proposal as a "costly political gimmick" and argued that the Canadian government should "[keep] our fiscal powder dry today, so we have the reserves we may need for a coming tariff war.

[22] Fellow Ontario MP Helena Jaczek agreed with Housefather and said that Trudeau "just doesn't represent what I want to see in a leader", while New Brunswick MP Wayne Long called Freeland's decision to leave cabinet "bold" and "a devastating blow" for the Prime Minister that should convince him to resign.

[23] British Columbia MP Rob Morrison shared hopes for a prorogued parliament, followed by a leadership review and general election.

Ontario MP Judy Sgro told caucus colleagues, “I continue to believe that early in the New Year a plan moving forward will be announced including his [Trudeau’s] resignation and we will be consumed with new challenges”.

[23] Newfoundland and Labrador MP Joanne Thompson also expressed her support for Trudeau, saying that it was "not the time for [caucus] to fracture" in the face of the 25% tariffs, while Newfoundland and Labrador MP Churence Rogers announced he would not seek re-election but still supported Trudeau, claiming his decision not to seek re-election was separate from the "turmoil" in the caucus.

[32][33] Nova Scotia MP Jaime Battiste said he would continue to support Trudeau in 2025, with the reason being that the two are ideologically similar on protecting the environment, while Ontario MP Marcus Powlowski said that despite backing the Prime Minister, Powlowski accepted that Trudeau could not win the next general election as party leader and should prorogue parliament in order for a leadership race to occur.

", while Deputy Opposition Leader and Ontario Conservative MP Melissa Lantsman accused Trudeau of "bullying his female finance minister".

[42] Freeland responded by stating that "the only would-be bullies in this House are directly opposite [the Liberal benches]," insisting that she and Trudeau were "united" and denying claims of the rift.

[48] Green Party leader Elizabeth May called 16 December an "unprecedented day" in Canadian politics and said she was "shocked by the events of today.

[62] Citing R (Miller) v The Prime Minister and Cherry v Advocate General for Scotland, the prorogation was challenged in the Federal Court.