Justin Trudeau says he plans to resign as Prime Minister of Canada and leader of the Liberal Party.
Trudeau made the announcement on Mondaysaying he will remain in office until a replacement is chosen, while also asking the governor general prorogue Parliament until March 24.
“Despite all efforts to remedy it, Parliament has been paralyzed for months after what was the longest session of a minority parliament in Canadian history,” Trudeau said, speaking outside his residence in Ottawa.
“That is why this morning I informed the Governor General that we need a new session of Parliament. She granted this request and the House will now be prorogued until March 24.
Trudeau also added that over the holidays he had the opportunity to reflect on his own political future and decided to step down to make way for a new leader.
“I intend to resign as leader of the party, as prime minister, once the party has chosen its next leader through a robust national competitive process,” Trudeau said.
“Last night I asked the president of the Liberal Party to begin this process. This country deserves a real choice in the next election, and it has become clear to me that if I have to fight internal battles, I cannot be the best option in these elections.
Trudeau’s announcement comes amid growing calls from the Liberal caucus for Trudeau’s resignation as the party’s popularity in opinion polls continues to plummet.
Over the winter break, the Ontario, Atlantic and Quebec caucuses all concluded that Trudeau should step down, saying it was time for a new leader to lead the Liberals into the next federal election.
Several senior ministers have resigned in recent weeks, including the shocking departure last month of Chrystia Freeland as deputy prime minister and finance minister.
Freeland, who until recently was a longtime staunch ally of Trudeau, publicly blamed the prime minister for her decision to resign, which she announced hours before announcing the fall economic update of government. Her resignation letter stated that she “disagreed” with Trudeau over recent economic policy decisions.
It’s a stunning turnaround for Trudeau after months of defiance in the face of growing opposition from MPs within and outside his party and among voters.
Trudeau said his announcement aims to give Parliament a “fresh start” with prorogation and without him in the equation as Liberal leader, “it should also decrease the level of polarization we are currently seeing in the House and in Canadian politics.”
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In recent months, the Liberals have seen the end of their credit and confidence agreement with the NDP and lost the support of the Bloc Québécois, which had helped the government survive several motions of no confidence but failed. to advance its own political priorities. .
NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh said after Freeland’s resignation that his party would no longer keep the government afloat, and promised to present his own motion of no confidence after the House of Commons returns on January 27.
The Conservatives, who currently enjoy the support of almost half of Canadian voters in polls, have also promised to oust the government as soon as possible after failing repeatedly last year.
Trudeau was once seen as the savior of the Liberal Party, which rallied behind him to win a majority government in the 2015 election after his crushing defeat and falling to third place behind the NDP four years earlier.
But an Ipsos poll for Global News published on December 20 suggests that Trudeau’s popularity has since dropped to 23 percent – just one point ahead of the record support given to former Liberal leader Michael Ignatieff in the 2011 election.
The poll also reveals that a majority of Canadians, 53 percent, now want an early election this year.
According to Canadian law, a federal election must take place no later than October 2025.
Trudeau said his “only regret” as leader was not being able to introduce electoral reform, so Canadians could choose a second or third choice on the same ballot.
“I could not unilaterally change our electoral system without the support of other parties; that would not have been responsible,” he said.
Trudeau ran in 2015 promising it would be the last election held under Canada’s first-past-the-post voting system. He announced his decision not to make an electoral change in 2017, when his party still had a majority government and did not need support from other parties to pass legislation.
Political reaction to Trudeau’s resignation
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre said Trudeau’s resignation was intended to “mislead voters” months before the next election.
“Canadians desperate to turn the page on this dark chapter in our history might be relieved today that Justin Trudeau is finally gone, but what has really changed? Poilievre said in a video posted on his official X account on Monday.
He questioned the timing of the announcement, saying the only objection from Liberal MPs appears to be that Trudeau is no longer popular enough to win the election and keep the party in power.
“They want to protect their pensions and salaries by sweeping their hated leader under the rug months before the election only to cheat on you and then do it again. »
NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh released a statementsaying the Trudeau Liberals have failed Canadians and don’t deserve another chance, no matter who is leader.
“The problem doesn’t just come from Justin Trudeau. All the ministers took the lead. It’s all Liberal MPs who are contemptuous of Canadians who worry about high costs or collapsing health care.
Speaking to reporters, Singh reiterated Monday that the NDP would vote to overthrow the Liberal government as soon as there was a vote of no confidence.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford said that in the face of U.S. tariffs, Canada must demonstrate “stability and strength at this critical time.”
“Now more than ever, the interests of Canadian workers and families must come before political or partisan ambitions. » he said on X.
Speaking to reporters later in Toronto, Ford called on Trudeau to continue doing his job, saying “prorogation does not mean a vacation.”
Ford said that in these “turbulent times at the federal level” he was “100 per cent focused” on the tariff threat, adding that the premiers want a face-to-face meeting with Trudeau while he is still prime minister.
David Eby, Premier of British Columbia said on X: “Even though we didn’t always agree, I want to thank Justin Trudeau for his service. We have worked on many important issues, including building partnerships to reduce the cost of child care for families.
He added: “We must come together to protect Canadian workers and businesses from U.S. tariff threats. »
In an article on Freeland thanked Trudeau for his years of service to Canada and Canadians and wished him and his family “the best.”
Industry Minister François-Philippe Champagne said Canadians should be grateful for Trudeau’s dedication and service to the country over so many years.
“From helping Canadians in times of need, to reshaping our country’s industrial landscape and seizing generational opportunities, Canada can look to the future with confidence. » Champagne said on X.
Finance Minister Dominic LeBlanc also thanked Trudeau, saying it was the “honor of his life” to serve alongside him.
“Beyond politics, your friendship and support in my fight against cancer is something I will never stop being grateful for. » LeBlanc said on X.