On January 6, Justin Trudeau announced his resignation as Prime Minister of Canada, ending his nearly nine-year tenure. The decision comes after a period of growing turmoil within his government and declining public support. Trudeau, who also resigned as leader of the Liberal Party, stated he would remain in office until a successor is selected, but the prorogation of Parliament signals the start of a leadership transition.
The resignation follows a string of internal issues, including the unexpected departure of his Finance Minister, Chrystia Freeland, in December. Freeland’s resignation, stemming from policy disagreements over U.S. President-elect Donald Trump’s proposed tariffs on Canadian goods, left Trudeau facing significant political pressure. Although Trudeau praised Freeland for her contributions, he refrained from commenting on whether her resignation influenced his decision to step down.
In a speech announcing his resignation, Trudeau acknowledged the crisis within his administration and admitted that, in light of ongoing internal challenges, he was not the best choice to lead the Liberal Party into the upcoming election. Despite his departure, he expressed confidence in Canada’s progress since taking office in 2015, citing improvements in various sectors, though he regretted not implementing electoral reform. Trudeau also indicated his excitement for a leadership race within his party, while criticizing Pierre Poilievre, leader of the opposition Conservative Party, as unsuitable to lead the nation.
Trudeau’s resignation comes amid low approval ratings and mounting calls from within his own party for him to step down. According to a recent Ipsos poll, only 26% of Canadians supported Trudeau as their preferred choice for Prime Minister, far behind Poilievre. With a federal election scheduled for later this year, Trudeau’s exit could prompt calls for a snap election, though it remains uncertain how this will impact the political landscape.
Throughout his time in office, Trudeau oversaw policies focused on climate change, open immigration, and taxing the wealthy, but his tenure was marred by controversies, including the resignation of former Justice Minister Jody Wilson-Raybould and the release of photos depicting him in brownface. Despite these challenges, Trudeau remained the longest-serving leader among G7 nations until his resignation.
His successor will face significant challenges, including addressing the economic implications of U.S. tariffs under President-elect Trump. Economists have warned that such tariffs could severely harm Canada’s economy, adding to the pressure on the new leadership.
As the Liberal Party looks to select a new leader, the political future of Canada remains uncertain as it approaches an important election year.
