Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced on Monday morning that he is stepping down as head of government as well as leader of the Liberal Party, while remaining in office until a successor is named.
The announcement came during a speech delivered at 11:00 a.m. local time from his official residence at Rideau Cottage. Trudeau’s decision follows months of mounting pressure from within his party, as at least 20 Liberal MPs, representing key regional caucuses in Quebec, Ontario, and the Atlantic provinces, openly called for his resignation amid plummeting approval ratings.
Adding to Trudeau’s political challenges was his recent fallout with Chrystia Freeland, widely regarded as his most likely successor. Freeland, who served as deputy prime minister and finance minister, resigned last month on the same day she was scheduled to present the government’s fall economic statement. Her departure was accompanied by a public letter sharply criticizing the government’s “costly political gimmicks” and urging greater cooperation with provincial premiers to tackle Ottawa’s pressing economic challenges, including trade tensions with U.S. President-elect Donald Trump.
Trump has vowed to impose a 25% tariff on Canadian goods unless the country strengthens its border controls to curb the flow of illegal drugs and undocumented immigrants.
Meanwhile, the Conservative Party, buoyed by more than a year of favorable polling, has announced plans to introduce a no-confidence motion against the Liberal government. Parliamentary sources suggest the vote could take place as early as January 30, just over a week after Trump’s inauguration. Polls currently show the Conservatives with a commanding lead at 45%, compared to the Liberals’ steep decline to around 20%
The outgoing PM has instead asked Canada’s Governor General Mary Simon to prorogue Parliament, halting all proceedings but not dissolving it until March 24 – providing the Liberals with more time to manage the transition.
Trudeau, 53, took the helm of the Liberal Party in 2013 and led it to power two years later with a progressive platform championing gender equality, climate action, and pro-trade policies. However, in recent years, his government has been consumed by the pandemic, which necessitated extraordinary spending to support households and businesses, resulting in record deficits. Despite these efforts, public dissatisfaction has grown over rising living costs.
Further complicating matters is Canada’s housing crisis, exacerbated by a surge in immigration that has strained an already tight real estate market.
Party insiders indicate that Trudeau offered Finance Minister Dominic LeBlanc the opportunity to temporarily lead the government. However, LeBlanc reportedly declined, opting instead to prepare for a leadership bid in the next general election.
