Trudeau says he has 'full confidence' in Freeland following reports of tensions between PMO and minister

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau offered a firm defence of Chrystia Freeland Thursday following reports of an increasingly tense relationship between his office and the finance minister.

«She has been a close friend, an ally and a partner in doing really big things for Canada, and will continue to be,» Trudeau said during his closing news conference from the annual NATO summit in Washington.

«I have full confidence in her abilities and the work we're going to be doing together.»

Trudeau's comments came after the Globe and Mail reported that tensions between Freeland and the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) — including Trudeau's chief of staff Katie Telford — are increasing due to the Liberals' recent economic messaging and low approval ratings.

The prime minister was also asked Thursday about rumours of internal discussions about recruiting former Bank of Canada governor Mark Carney as finance minister.

«I have been talking with Mark Carney for years now about getting him to join federal politics. I think he'd be an outstanding addition at a time when Canadians need good people to step up in politics,» he said.

Despite what Trudeau is saying publicly, CBC News has also learned of tensions behind the scenes.

A senior government source told CBC News that Freeland was not resonating with voters in the way the PMO had hoped. The source added that such tensions are to be expected when the government is facing headwinds.

The government's recent woes have prompted intense discussions among Liberals. The Liberals' unexpected byelection loss in Toronto last month prompted one backbench Liberal MP to publicly call on Trudeau to resign as leader. Other members of caucus have also expressed frustrations in private.

Polling has consistently shown