Canadian PM announces resignation after growing party pressure

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau (File Photo: Justin Trudeau/Facebook)

By Anadolu, Philippine News Agency

HAMILTON, Canada – Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced his resignation as leader of the Liberal Party on Monday.

“I intend to resign as party leader, as prime minister, after the party selects its next leader through a robust, nationwide, competitive process,” Trudeau said during a news conference at Rideau Cottage in Ottawa.

Stating that he “deeply” cares about Canada and its citizens, Trudeau said, “I will always be motivated by what is in the best interest of Canadians.”

“The fact is, despite best efforts to work through it, Parliament has been paralyzed for months after what has been the longest session of a minority Parliament in Canadian history,” he said, announcing the proroguing of the parliament.

Prior to his resignation, Trudeau said he met with Canada’s Governor General Mary Simon and asked to prorogue the parliament until March 24, which will pause all proceedings and is expected to allow time for the Liberal Party to find its new leader.

Trudeau’s resignation comes amid growing dissatisfaction within his party and low public approval ratings, raising concerns about his ability to win the next election against a surging Conservative opposition.

The race to replace Trudeau is already generating a buzz, with potential contenders including senior government figures like Foreign Minister Melanie Joly, Innovation Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne, and former central banker Mark Carney. Finance Minister Dominic LeBlanc has also reportedly been mentioned as a possible interim leader.

Trudeau was elected as the Liberal Party leader in April 2013, and became the prime minister of Canada after October 2015 elections after a landslide victory.

The Liberal Party under Trudeau’s leadership won the elections in October 2019 and September 2021. He is not only known as Canada’s 23rd prime minister but also the son of 15th Prime Minister of Canada, Pierre Trudeau.

Furthermore, the next election in Canada is planned to be held in October 2025.

Trudeau accused of ‘breaking the country’

In response to Trudeau’s resignation, Foreign Minister Joly said, “Over the last ten years, the Prime Minister devoted himself to making this country a better place for all Canadians.”

She also thanked Trudeau for his “determination and sacrifice.”

Meanwhile, opposition Conservative party leader Pierre Poilievre shared a video message on X, saying that “Canadians desperate to turn the page on this dark chapter in our history might be relieved today that Justin Trudeau is finally leaving.”

He accused the entire Liberal Party of helping Trudeau “break the country over the last nine years.”

Similarly, New Democrat Party (NDP) leader Jagmeet Singh also accused the Liberal Party of failure to govern and said at a news conference that “the problem is not just Justin Trudeau. It’s every minister that’s been calling the shots.”

“The Liberals do not deserve another chance, no matter who is the leader,” he added.

In late December 2024, Singh pledged to submit a motion of non-confidence against Trudeau’s government at the next House of Commons sitting.

In a letter he wrote and shared on X, he said that the Liberal party does not “deserve another chance” and stated, “That’s why the NDP will vote to bring this government down, and give Canadians a chance to vote for a government who will work for them.”

Meanwhile, a video of Trudeau’s speech, showing papers being blown away by the wind just before he stepped out of his home, went viral on social media.