In her memoir “Unreliable Boyfriend,” Chrystia Freeland, a former finance minister and deputy prime minister, delves into the evolution of her political rapport with Justin Trudeau. She recounts their collaborative efforts on various fronts, including trade, pandemic management, and national child care. Despite their initial camaraderie, Freeland highlights Trudeau’s descent into unpopularity, his tendency to humiliate cabinet members, and his selective targeting of individuals weaker than himself.
While describing Trudeau’s strengths, Freeland recalls an encounter at a Toronto party in 2012, where Trudeau’s charisma and approachability stood out. She also discusses pivotal moments in their political relationship, such as disagreements over trade deals like the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) and the renegotiation of NAFTA.
Freeland reflects on challenging times during NAFTA negotiations, highlighting the strategic imposition of retaliatory tariffs on the U.S. as a successful tactic. She credits Trudeau for demonstrating strong leadership during these critical trade discussions.
The memoir also touches on personal interactions within Trudeau’s inner circle, revealing instances of emotional outbursts and linguistic policing within cabinet meetings. Freeland expresses discomfort with what she perceives as bullying behavior by Trudeau towards vulnerable individuals, contrasting it with his assertive stance in diplomatic negotiations.
As Trudeau’s popularity waned, Freeland sought counsel from former Prime Minister Jean Chrétien regarding her political future. Ultimately, a Zoom call from Trudeau informing her of his decision to replace her as finance minister led Freeland to resign, citing a loss of trust in the prime minister.
Despite the political fallout from her resignation, Freeland believes she made the right choice in stepping down, paving the way for Mark Carney to assume the prime ministerial role. She reflects on the impact of her decision and her aspirations for the future, acknowledging Carney’s leadership qualities while expressing pride in her role in the political transition.
