Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is stepping down after nearly a decade in charge. During a hastily-assembled news conference outside his Rideau Cottage in Ottawa, Trudeau said there will now be fresh Liberal Party leadership elections and parliament will be prorogued until March 24. He said he advised the Canadian governor general this morning of […]Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is stepping down after nearly a decade in charge. During a hastily-assembled news conference outside his Rideau Cottage in Ottawa, Trudeau said there will now be fresh Liberal Party leadership elections and parliament will be prorogued until March 24. He said he advised the Canadian governor general this morning of
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is stepping down after nearly a decade in charge.
During a hastily-assembled news conference outside his Rideau Cottage in Ottawa, Trudeau said there will now be fresh Liberal Party leadership elections and parliament will be prorogued until March 24. He said he advised the Canadian governor general this morning of his decision.
Speculation has been swirling in the past few days that the announcement was incoming, although many didn’t expect Trudeau to resign this early.
Trudeau said that “despite the best efforts to work through it, parliament has been paralyzed for months after what has been the longest session of minority parliament in Canadian history.”
He spoke of reflecting over the holidays on his position and told the press pack he was explaining to them a decision that he had told his kids about over dinner last night. “This country deserves 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 that election,” he said.
Trudeau is one of the longest-serving Canadian PMs, although he didn’t manage to match the tenure of his father, Pierre Trudeau. He was voted in amid a wave of popularity for his ruling Liberal Party in late 2015 – very much viewed as a fresh face for the future and beating incumbent Stephen Harper – but has faced multiple challenges during a near decade-long tenure.
In 2019, he lost his majority and was reduced to a minority government, which became a confidence and supply agreement with the rival New Democratic Party in 2022. Public trust in him has meanwhile been eroded by three investigations by the ethics commissioner. Amid dwindling poll numbers and the parliament paralysis, he has been facing up to the prospect of another Donald Trump presidency, while his finance minster, Chrystia Freeland, resigned last month. Trump, who takes office in two weeks, has vowed to impose a 25% tariff on Canadian goods if the country does not secure its shared border to the flow of irregular migrants and illegal drugs.
Trudeau said he’s “excited to see the process unfold in the months ahead” and that he will “always be motivated by what is in the best interest of Canadians.”
“Every bone in my body has always told me to fight because I care deeply about Canadians, I care deeply about this country and I will always be motivated by what is in the best interest of Canadians,” he added.