In a decision that in effect brings an end to nearly a decade in power, Justin Trudeau has announced that he will step down as Canada’s Prime Minister.
Stating that “Canadians deserve a clear choice in the next election,” Trudeau added that party infighting had made it impossible for him to face off against his political rivals.
He noted that he would stay on as Prime Minister until a new leader of the ruling Liberal party was chosen through a “robust, nationwide” process.
His resignation throws open the doors to a fierce political battle to be the country’s next leader, with polls showing the Liberals losing badly to the official opposition Conservatives.
Trudeau, who used his address to recount his government’s accomplishments over three terms, said that parliament would be suspended until March 24, 2025.
His decision to resign also comes at a time when deep anxiety has settled over Canadian politics before Donald Trump’s inauguration as US President.
Canadian officials increasingly fear US tariffs will devastate the country’s economy and a prorogued parliament is unlikely to ease these fears.
His resignation could be seen as choosing to jump before he is pushed, ahead of a general election to be held later this year that he is widely expected to lose.
The 53-year-old Trudeau has led the ruling Liberal party since 2013 and became prime minister in November 2015.
However, the recent developments reflect Trudeau’s waning popularity – and that of his governing Liberals. In recent months, the party has after lost both political strongholds in recent bye-elections and prominent cabinet ministers.
Recent polling has the Liberals at 16% support, their worst pre-election standing in more than a century.
Trudeau was facing a mounting set of crises, from Donald Trump’s tariff threats to the resignation of key allies and disastrous opinion polls.
Trudeau’s government was also rocked last year by the surprise resignation of Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland, just hours before she was due to deliver her annual fiscal update.
Suspending parliament is designed to give the Liberals time to choose a new leader.
Possible replacements include the former Governor of both the Bank of England and Bank of Canada Mark Carney, Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly, and former Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland.
The hope is that a new party leader could bring the Liberals out of their situation, before a general election set to be held on or before October 20, 2025.
Current polls show Trudeau’s Liberal Party behind the opposition Conservative Party, led by the firebrand Pierre Poilievre.
Unforgiving Reaction To Trudeau’s Announcement
Reaction from Trudeau’s political rivals to his decision to step down was swift and unforgiving.
Pierre Poilievre, the Conservative leader asserted, “Nothing has changed.”
He said that every Liberal MP and leadership contender supported everything Trudeau did for nine years, and now “they want to trick voters by swapping in another Liberal face to keep ripping off Canadians for another four years, just like Justin.”
In a video post on X, Poilievre also seized on Trudeau’s resignation to make an offer to Canadian voters.
“Canadians can take back control of their lives and their country. Take back control of our border. Take back control of immigration. Take back control of spending, deficits and inflation.
“We’ll cap spending, axe taxes, reward work, build homes, uphold family, stop crime, secure borders, rearm our forces, restore our freedom and put Canada first.”
Pierre Poilievre
Additionally, Jagmeet Singh, the leader of the New Democratic party, said in a statement that the Liberals “do not deserve another chance, no matter who is the leader.”
Singh propped up the Liberal’s minority government for three years under a confidence and supply agreement, but withdrew his support at the end of 2024.
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