Justin Trudeau has announced his resignation as Liberal Party leader. He will remain as Canadian prime minister until the party has chosen a successor.
It’s the end of a nine-year stint in office, as pressure grew from within his Liberal Party which is trailing significantly behind the opposition Conservatives in the polls.
Trudeau made the announcement from his Rideau Cottage residence.
“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 Monday. “Last night, I asked the president of the Liberal Party to begin that process. This country deserves a real choice in the next election, and it has become clear to me that if I am having to fight internal battles, I cannot be the best option in that election.”
The outgoing prime minister said he regretted not being able to change Canada’s electoral system.
A row broke out inside Trudeau’s party after U.S. President-elect Donald Trump announced a proposal to introduce 25 percent tariffs on the country.
Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland unexpectedly stepped down in mid-December, citing differences with Trudeau on how to approach Trump’s presidency and tariff proposals.
But pressure had already been growing on Trudeau from within the party as its popularity collapsed in the polls.
Canada is already due to hold a general election by the end of October this year.
Why Justin Trudeau resigned after nine years as Canadian Prime Minister
Signs are mounting that members of the Liberal Party, which Trudeau has led since 2013, are losing confidence in the prime minister.
In mid-December, Chrystina Freeland, the deputy prime minister and head of finance, unexpectedly resigned citing disagreements over the handling of Trump’s proposed 25 percent tariffs on the country – an issue that could damage the economy.
Ariana Baio6 January 2025 17:00
Trudeau says government will be ‘singularly focused on’ economy as Trump tariff threat looms
The press conference with outgoing Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has ended.
He was asked, “How can the Liberal government be in a position to protect Canadian businesses and Canadians from the threat of tariffs from incoming President Donald Trump when members of the government are going to be focused on who’s going to be taking your job?”
“The government will still and the Cabinet will still be very much focused on doing the job the Canadians elected us to do in 2021, which is fight for their interests, stand up for their wellbeing, and make sure that they are good and that Canadians are protected and strong,” he said.
“There will be a leadership process and the rules will unfold over the coming weeks, but I can assure you that the tools and the need to stand up for Canadians to protect Canadians in their interests and continue to fight for the economy is something that everyone in this government will be singularly focused on,” he added.
Gustaf Kilander6 January 2025 16:39
WATCH: Justin Trudeau resigns as Canadian prime minister
Gustaf Kilander6 January 2025 16:25
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau stepping down as party leader after nearly 10 years in office
Speaking outside his residence at Rideau Cottage, Trudeau said he had taken time over the holidays to “reflect” with his family.
“Throughout the course of my career, any success I have personally achieved has been because of their support and with their encouragement,” Trudeau said.
“So last night, over dinner, I told my kids about the decision that I’m sharing with you today. I intend to resign as party leader as prime minister after the party selects its next leader through a robust, nationwide, competitive process.”
Rachel Clun6 January 2025 16:23
Trudeau calls Chrystia Freeland ‘an incredible political partner’
Justin Trudeau commented on the departure of Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland last month.
“She has been an incredible political partner through just about everything we have done as a government and as a party over the past decade,” he said Monday. “I had really hoped that she would agree to continue as my deputy prime minister and take on one of the most important files that not just this government but this country is facing, but she chose otherwise.”
“In regards to what actually happened, I am not someone who’s in the habit of sharing private conversations,” he added.
Gustaf Kilander6 January 2025 16:18
What happens now that Justin Trudeau has resigned?
“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 on Monday.
Now, the Liberal Party will decide on its next leader by holding a contest to decide who will succeed Trudeau. Until they do so, Trudeau will remain prime minister.
Ariana Baio6 January 2025 16:14
‘I am not someone who backs away from a fight’
Justin Trudeau said, “As you all know, I am a fighter, and I am not someone who backs away from a fight, particularly when a fight is as important as this one is.”
“But I have always been driven by my love for Canada, by my desire to serve Canadians and by what is in the best interests of Canadians, and Canadians deserve a real choice in the next election, and it has become obvious to me with the internal battles that I cannot be the one to carry the liberal standard into the next election,” the outgoing prime minister argued.
Gustaf Kilander6 January 2025 16:11
Trudeau announces resignation
Justin Trudeau has announced his resignation.
“Last night, over dinner, I told my kids about the decision that I sharing with you today,” he said Monday.
“I intend to resign as party leader, as prime minister after the party selects its next leader through a robust, nationwide, competitive process,” he added. “Last night, I asked the president of the Liberal Party to begin that process. This country deserves a real choice in the next election, and it has become clear to me that if I am having to fight internal battles, I cannot be the best option in that election.”
Gustaf Kilander6 January 2025 16:08
Trudeau: ‘I’ve fought for this country’
Justin Trudeau took to the podium, saying “Every morning I’ve woken up as prime minister, I’ve been inspired by the resilience, the generosity and the determination of Canadians.”
He added: “It is the driving force of every single day I have the privilege of serving in this office, that is why, since 2015 I’ve fought for this country, for you, to strengthen and grow the middle class, why we rallied to support each other through the pandemic, to advance reconciliation, to defend free trade on this continent, to stand strong with Ukraine and our democracy and to fight climate change and get our economy ready for the future.”
“We are at a critical moment in the world,” he argued.
Gustaf Kilander6 January 2025 16:03
Trudeau asks governor general to prorogue parliament
Justin Trudeau met with Canada’s governor general this morning, asking her to prorogue parliament until 24 March, according to CBC and CTV News.
Proroguing parliament means that all proceedings will cease without dissolving parliament, giving the party time to find a new leader.
Gustaf Kilander6 January 2025 16:00
