Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau Resigns

Prime Minister of Canada, Justin Trudeau, announced Monday, January 6, that he has resigned as Liberal Party leader and will remain in the role until his successor has been chosen “through a robust nationwide competitive process.”

Justin Trudeau Resigns

“I intend to resign as party leader, as prime minister after the party selects its next leader through a robust nationwide, competitive process,” he said during a press conference. “Last night, I asked the president of the Liberal Party to begin that process. This country deserves a real choice in the next election, and it has become clear to me that if I’m having to fight internal battles, I cannot be the best option in that election.”

Trudeau noted that he requested Governor General Mary Simon to prorogue the parliament until March 24, effectively suspending government.

“Parliament has been entirely seized by obstruction and filibustering and a total lack of productivity over the past few months,” the prime minister added. “We are right now the longest-serving minority government in history, and it is time for a reset.”

He also believes that removing himself from the contest could allow Ottawa to eliminate the daily polarization and help MPs do their elected job: focus on helping the Canadian people.

What’s Next?

This is welcome news for the Liberal caucus – Trudeau’s own party. In recent weeks, Members of Parliament across British Columbia, Ontario, Quebec, and Atlantic Canada had been demanding the resignation. According to the latest Angus Reid poll, 46% of voters said Trudeau should step down.

So, now that the Liberal Party is searching for a new leader – the top names floated are Freeland, former Bank of Canada Governor Mark Carney, and Finance Minister Dominic LeBlanc – Parliament Hill will return to work preparing for a potential spring election. When the House of Commons resumes, Official Opposition Leader Pierre Poilievre will likely attempt to topple the government again through a non-confidence vote.

Trudeau said:

“We need an ambitious, optimistic view of the future, and Pierre Poilievre is not offering that, and I look forward to the fight as progressives across this country stand up for the kind of vision for a better country that Canadians have always carried despite the tremendous pressures around the world to think smaller, to veer towards the far right and to be less ambitious for what we can be and do as a country when the world really needs Canada.”

But with rising unemployment, poor economic growth, and slowing wages, many Canadian households might not want more of the same government. Polls suggest that opposition leader Poilievre would win against the governing Liberal Party.  A national election must happen on or before October 25, 2025.

Takeaways

1. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has resigned.
2. There will be a general election on or before October 25, 2025.
3. Trudeau’s party, the Liberal Party is searching for a new leader.