Politics · Canada · 1 hr ago
Chrystia Freeland’s book describes her break with Justin Trudeau
Chrystia Freeland’s new book describes her break with Justin Trudeau, her former political ally and Canada’s prime minister.
In Unreliable Boyfriend, Freeland looks back on their work together, including trade talks, the pandemic response and national child care.
She says Trudeau removed her as finance minister in a Zoom call, after years in his government.
She resigned on the day she was due to present the fall economic statement, an event that shook Ottawa and was followed weeks later by Trudeau’s departure.
Freeland also writes about Trudeau’s leadership style, including his treatment of cabinet colleagues and his criticism of a woman colleague for using the word “crazy.”
The book also portrays the United States under Donald Trump as an unreliable partner, a theme reflected in its title.
Chrystia Freeland’s book Unreliable Boyfriend describes the breakdown of her political relationship with Justin Trudeau.
Freeland says Trudeau removed her from the finance role in a Zoom call years after inviting her into politics.
She writes that she resigned from cabinet on the day she was due to present the fall economic statement.
The book recounts both their work together on trade, pandemic management and national child care, and her criticism of Trudeau’s treatment of cabinet colleagues.
Freeland also praises Trudeau for standing up to Donald Trump and implementing social programs.
- Who
- Chrystia Freeland and Justin Trudeau.
- What
- Freeland’s book describes their political relationship and her account of her resignation from cabinet.
- When
- The book was published in 2026. The resignation took place nearly two years earlier, according to the National Post.
- Where
- Canada; the account concerns the federal government in Ottawa.
- Why
- Freeland says she resigned on the day she was due to present the fall economic statement. The sources do not state a single reason for the broader rift.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Freeland met Trudeau at a Toronto party celebrating the launch of her book Plutocrats.
Trudeau invited Freeland to consider running in a Toronto byelection.
Freeland wrote that Trudeau wanted a better deal before Canada signed the Trans Pacific Partnership.
Freeland resigned from cabinet on the day she was due to present the fall economic statement.
Freeland’s book Unreliable Boyfriend was published.
- Book
- Unreliable Boyfriend
- Author
- Chrystia Freeland
- Former role
- Finance minister and deputy prime minister
- Trade agreement
- Trans Pacific Partnership
- Trade talks
- NAFTA negotiations were approaching in 2017
- Resignation
- On the day Freeland was due to present the fall economic statement
3 sources
From Trudeau to Putin to Trump, Chrystia Freeland book gives behind-the-scenes look at years in politics
Freeland's book reveals Chrétien's power play, crying in cabinet and Trudeau's lecture about using the word 'crazy'
In Unreliable Boyfriend, Chrystia Freeland details the rift between her and Trudeau
What people are saying
I spent the next six weeks agonizing over Justin's offer
Trudeau showed that, love him or loathe him, you could not deny that he was a leader with balls
was prepared to play hardball