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When Justin Trudeau was elected Canadian prime minister four years ago, he became an instant international celebrity and media darling.

The charismatic and photogenic politician made headlines for everything from his feminist views to his tattoos and past jobs — which include being a bungee-jumping coach.

While his father, Pierre Trudeau, governed the country for the vast majority of 1968 until 1984, the chances of Justin Trudeau winning a second term this year appear to be dimming amid the biggest crisis of his political career. The scandal has already cost Trudeau his top aide and best friend, as well two of his highest-profile female Cabinet ministers.

Here is a look at what happened — and what might happen next.

What is at the heart of the scandal?

In a serious blow to Trudeau, 47, a second member of his Cabinet resigned on Monday, saying she had lost confidence in how his Liberal government had dealt with a scandal that has dominated the news for nearly a month.

Treasury Board President Jane Philpott, in overall charge of government spending, expressed her unhappiness about the government's response to allegations that former Justice Minister and Attorney General Jody Wilson-Raybould was inappropriately pressured to avoid the criminal prosecution of a major engineering company.

It grieves me to resign from a portfolio where I was at work to deliver an important mandate. I must abide by my core values, my ethical responsibilities, constitutional obligations. There can be a cost to acting on one’s principles, but there is a bigger cost to abandoning them. pic.twitter.com/EwO5dtdgG6 — Jane Philpott (@janephilpott) March 4, 2019

Critics say there may have been improper political meddling in a criminal case.

Philpott is a close friend of Wilson-Raybould, who resigned on Feb. 12 after she was unexpectedly demoted the previous month.

Wilson-Raybould said last week she was convinced that her refusal to help Montreal-based SNC-Lavalin — the firm accused of paying bribes for government contracts in Libya — was behind the demotion.

She testified that Trudeau and senior members of his government pushed an option that would include SNC-Lavalin paying reparations but avoiding a trial. However, Wilson-Raybould also said she did not think any laws had been broken.