Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced on Monday his decision to step down from office, remaining in his role until a new leader is selected.
- He stated that Canada’s parliament will be suspended until March 24 while the leadership transition takes place.
- Trudeau has led the Liberal Party for 11 years and served as prime minister for nine, but his tenure has been increasingly challenged by various crises, including tariff threats from Donald Trump, the resignation of key allies, and declining approval ratings.
On Monday, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau criticized opposition leader Pierre Poilievre’s vision for the country, stating that it “doesn’t make sense.”
“His vision for this country is not the right one for Canadians. Stopping the fight against climate change doesn’t make sense,” Trudeau said during a news conference in Ottawa. “We need an ambitious, optimistic view of the future. And Pierre Poilievre is not offering that.”
Trudeau’s remarks came as he announced his decision to step down as leader of the ruling Liberal Party, following a series of political challenges. The Liberals are widely expected to lose the upcoming general election later this year to the opposition Conservative Party, led by right-wing figure Pierre Poilievre.
In response to Trudeau’s resignation, Poilievre reiterated his commitment to cutting taxes and tightening immigration policies, describing the current state of the country as a “dark chapter in our history.”
“Canadians can take back control of their lives and their country,” Poilievre said in a video posted on X. “Take back control of our border. Take back control of immigration. Take back control of spending, deficits, and inflation.”
He further outlined his priorities, pledging to “cap spending, cut taxes, reward work, build homes, support families, stop crime, secure borders, strengthen the military, restore freedom, and put Canada first.”
Poilievre has gained a significant lead over the ruling Liberal Party in national polling and has received backing from international populist figures, including X owner Elon Musk, who played a key role in former U.S. President Donald Trump’s election campaign.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau reflected on his nearly decade-long tenure, stating that he had “fought for this country” as he announced his resignation as leader of the ruling Liberal Party.
“Every morning I’ve woken up as prime minister, I have been inspired by the resilience, generosity, and determination of Canadians,” Trudeau told journalists on Monday. “I have fought for this country—for you.”
Highlighting key achievements of his administration since taking office in 2015, Trudeau cited his government’s support for Ukraine and its response to the Covid-19 pandemic.
“We rallied to support each other through the pandemic, stood strong with Ukraine and for our democracy, fought climate change, and prepared our economy for the future,” he said. “We are at a critical moment in the world.”
Justin Trudeau Announces Resignation as Canadian Prime Minister
Under mounting pressure from within his own party, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has announced his decision to step down, bringing an end to his nine-year tenure as leader.
Trudeau stated that he will remain in office until the Liberal Party selects a new leader and that Parliament will be prorogued (suspended) until March 24 to facilitate the transition.
“This country deserves a real choice in the next election, and it has become clear to me that if I am forced to fight internal battles, I cannot be the best option for Canadians,” Trudeau said during a press conference on Monday.
A Party in Decline
Trudeau’s waning popularity had become a growing liability for the Liberal Party ahead of federal elections later this year. Addressing reporters in Ottawa, he revealed that he had informed his children of his decision over dinner the night before.
“I intend to resign as party leader and as prime minister once the party selects its next leader through a robust, nationwide, competitive process,” he announced.
Liberal Party President Sachit Mehra confirmed that the party’s board of directors would meet this week to begin the leadership selection process.
In a statement, Mehra praised Trudeau’s leadership, saying: “Liberals across the country are immensely grateful to Justin Trudeau for more than a decade of service to our party and the country.”
He highlighted key achievements of Trudeau’s tenure, including the Canada Child Benefit, $10-a-day child care, Canada’s first national climate plan, pandemic relief measures, and the establishment of dental care and universal pharmacare.
Conservative Response
Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre dismissed Trudeau’s resignation as insignificant, insisting that nothing had changed within the Liberal Party.
“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,” Poilievre wrote on X.
Internal Party Struggles and the Freeland Resignation
Trudeau had faced increasing calls to step down from within his party, particularly after the abrupt resignation of Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland in December. Freeland, a longtime ally, cited Trudeau’s failure to address U.S. President-elect Donald Trump’s threats of tariffs on Canadian goods as a key reason for her departure.
In a public resignation letter, she criticized Trudeau for not doing enough to tackle what she described as the “grave challenge” posed by Trump’s trade policies. Trump has vowed to impose a 25% tariff on Canadian imports unless Canada takes stronger measures to secure its shared border with the U.S.
In response, Canada has announced new security measures along its border with the U.S.
Trudeau acknowledged Freeland’s departure, stating, “I had hoped she would continue in her role, but she chose otherwise.”
Liberal Party’s Political Challenges
As a minority government, Trudeau’s Liberals relied on support from smaller parties to remain in power. However, following Freeland’s resignation, both the Bloc Québécois and the New Democratic Party (NDP) withdrew their backing, leaving Trudeau with little room to maneuver.
The Conservative Party has held a double-digit lead in national polls for months, suggesting that the Liberals could face a major defeat if an election were held today.
The party’s troubles were further underscored by a series of by-election losses, including in former Liberal strongholds like Toronto and Montreal.
Trudeau’s resignation comes ahead of the Liberal Party’s national caucus meeting on Wednesday. His departure could trigger calls for an early general election, despite the next one being officially scheduled for October 20.
The End of the Trudeau Era
Trudeau, the son of former Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau, first took office in 2015, riding a wave of optimism and promises of a progressive, inclusive Canada under his slogan “Sunny Ways.”
His tenure saw notable achievements, including:
✔ A gender-balanced cabinet (50% women)
✔ Progress on Indigenous reconciliation
✔ A national carbon tax
✔ A tax-free child benefit for families
✔ Legalization of recreational cannabis
However, his leadership was also marked by controversies and scandals.
In 2019, the SNC-Lavalin corruption case and old photos of Trudeau wearing brownface emerged, damaging his image. That year, the Liberals lost their majority, forcing them to govern with coalition support.
A snap election in 2021 failed to restore a majority, leading to frustration among voters over the timing of the vote amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Trudeau also faced fierce backlash over vaccine mandates and pandemic restrictions, culminating in the Freedom Convoy protests of early 2022. His use of emergency powers to disperse protesters was widely criticized.
As Canada emerged from the pandemic, the Trudeau government struggled with rising housing costs, inflation, and a strained public service sector, prompting a reduction in immigration targets.
By late 2024, Trudeau’s approval rating had plummeted to just 22%, according to polling data, signaling a historic low in public confidence.
With his departure, the Liberal Party must now select a new leader to guide them into the next election, facing the challenge of rebuilding voter trust in a rapidly shifting political landscape.
