Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has declared his plans to resign as Liberal Party Leader amid mounting internal conflict.
His declaration on Monday follows a flurry of stipulations regarding his political future, including public spats with previous allies, a no-assurance motion requested for later in January, and falling poll numbers.
In remarks from his residence at Rideau Cottage in Ottawa, Trudeau said, “Every morning I have woken up as a prime minister, I have been inspired by the strength, generosity, and determination of Canadians.”
In declaring his plan to step down as party leader, he highlighted the Liberals’ uphill struggle as they enter a national election season. He clarified that he would step down whenever a replacement was discovered.
“This nation deserves a true choice in the next election, and it becomes clear to me that if I am having to battle internal struggles, I cannot be the best choice.”
Trudeau declared his intention before the Liberal Party’s federal caucus on Wednesday. Below is what you must understand about Trudeau’s resignation, what caused it, and what this implies for Canada.
Table of Contents
Who Is Justin Trudeau?
Justin Trudeau, 53, came to power 2015 and led the Liberals to two more ballot-box victories, in 2019 and 2012, respectively.
Justin Trudeau is the oldest son of charismatic former Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau, who passed away in 2000. He started his political journey after working as a snowboard instructor, bouncer, teacher, and bartender.
He was first elected to the House of Commons in 2008 to represent a working-class Montreal community. He rebuilt the Senate to make it less political and more transparent by halting partisan appointments and developing an autonomous, excellent-based selection procedure.
During his first two prime minister tenures, he signed a new trade deal with the US and introduced a carbon tax to decrease Canada’s greenhouse gas emissions.
Justin Trudeau, who is the father of three and has legalized cannabis, handled a public investigation into missing and killed Indigenous women and passed legislation allowing medically supported suicide.
In his remarks on Monday, Trudeau talked about some of his attainments while in office.
“We got elected in 2015 to defend the middle class, which we have done over the previous years. We have decreased their taxes, raised household benefits, and ensured the economy concentrated on working for everybody, not just a few.”
How We Got Here
Trudeau’s fame has weakened in recent months, with his government narrowly thriving a series of no-confidence votes and critics demanding his resignation.
If you enjoy this article, don't miss out on the valuable insights and information available in our other related posts:
- Applying For The Canada-Ukraine Approval For Emergency Travel
- How to Become an International Student and Secure a Job in Canada
- Five Million Temporary Permit Set To Expire In Canada: Visa Alternatives And What To Do Next
- Will Thailand Extend Visa-Free Entry: Options And Updates For Travellers?
- How To Be Eligible For The Federal Skilled Worker Visa Program In Canada
He had promised to remain on to rule the Liberals to elections but has experienced further stress from in-coming United States President Donald Trump, who has intimidated a 25% tariff on Canadian goods.
Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland stepped down in December after discord with Justin Trudeau over how to answer Trump’s apparent intention in the first open conflict against the prime minister within his cabinet.
In a statement on X, Freeland said she quit after Trudeau requested her leave as finance minister. She highlighted her conflicts with the prime minister, including how to address Trump’s tariff terrorism and “America first” economic nationalism.
Since then, a growing number of Liberal parliamentarians, alerted by a series of sad polls, have openly demanded Trudeau to quit.
After Trudeau submitted those demands on Monday, several, including Freeland, applauded his conclusion.
What Will Happen Next
Trudeau demanded that Canada’s Parliament experience a time of prorogation, halting its sessions until 24 March. Governor General Mary Simon has endorsed the application.
For the Liberals, Trudeau’s exit will begin with a competition to name his successor as party leader.
The race arrives at a significant period for the party, as it experiences a national election proposed to be held before 20 October. The polls suggest that, under Trudeau’s rule, the Liberal Party would have sadly lost to the opponent, the Conservatives, if the vote had taken place immediately.
Now that Trudeau has declared his plan to step down, the Liberals must create a special leadership convention to pick their next leader.
The party’s difficulty is that these conventions often take months to organize. If an election occurs before then, the Liberals would be ruled by a prime minister not selected by members.
That has never happened in Canada. The Liberals could attempt to operate a shorter convention than usual, but that might trigger protests from applicants who feel it is a burden.
How Trump Involves In All Of This
The US president-elect has been intimidated into inflicting sweeping tariffs on its three most prominent trading associates, including Canada, China, and Mexico, when he steps into office immediately on 20 January.
Trudeau traveled to Florida in November to meet with Trump at the Mar-a-Lago estate to head off a trade battle.
However, the United States president-elect has since brought humiliating blows against Trudeau on social media by repeatedly referring to Trudeau as “Governor of Canada” and revealing that the United State’s northern neighbor becoming the 51st United States – the state is not a bad idea.
