Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is said to be reflecting on his future over the holidays after the resignation of his top cabinet minister, Chrystia Freeland, in mid-December. The bombshell move prompted a fresh wave of calls for Trudeau to step down as Liberal leader from inside and outside the caucus.
With MPs set to return to the House of Commons on Jan. 27, the Liberal grip on power appears tenuous. The NDP, which has been a steady ally of the minority government since the 2021 election, is no longer planning to support the Liberals.
Here is a look at some of the scenarios that could play out in coming weeks:
Prorogation
Regardless of whether Trudeau resigns as Liberal leader, the government could seek prorogation to end all House of Commons business.
If Gov. Gen. Mary Simon honours the prorogation request, all outstanding legislation effectively dies on the order paper.