Canada’s deputy prime minister Chrystia Freeland will be taking over the role of finance minister, Canadian media report. Bill Morneau stepped down on Monday from the top finance job amid pressure from opposition parties, after five years in the role. Ms Freeland, 52, will become the first woman to hold the powerful portfolio in Canada.

She is one of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s most trusted ministers. Canada is going through its worst economic crisis since the Second World War due to the economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic. She has previously held several high-level cabinet positions, including the international trade portfolio. As foreign minister she helped renegotiate the North American Free Trade Agreement – or Nafta – with the US and Mexico. Besides her current role as deputy prime minister, she also oversees relations between the federal and provincial and territorial governments.

The former journalist was first elected as a member of parliament (MP) in 2013. (BBC)…[+]