Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau resigns after nine years in office, blaming internal party struggles

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau resigns

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced on Monday that he will step down in the coming months after more than nine years in power, a development that came as Trudeau came under pressure from members of his own Liberal Party who were concerned about his low pre-election poll numbers.

As one of the world’s most famous progressive leaders, Trudeau said he would remain prime minister and leader of the Liberal Party until the party elects a new leader in the coming months. “This country deserves a real choice in the next election, and I am well aware that if I need to fight within the party, then I will not be the best choice for the next election.”

Trudeau held a press conference outdoors at -15 degrees Celsius. He said, “I am not one to avoid war, especially when this battle is important… I do everything out of love for Canada, but it is clear that I cannot be the representative of the Liberal Party in the next election because of internal fighting.”

Trudeau also announced that Parliament would be adjourned, or suspended, until March 24. That means an election cannot be held in May, meaning Trudeau will remain in office until then and face the threat of tariffs that U.S. President-elect Donald Trump may launch against Canada in the early stages of his inauguration on January 20.

The next election must be held by Oct. 20, but polls suggest voter anger over high prices and a shortage of affordable housing will hand the opposition Conservatives a win and hand the Liberals a heavy defeat whoever leads them.

“It’s the fatigue factor,” said Shachi Kurl, president of the Angus Reid Institute, a nonpartisan Canadian polling organization. “This government has been in power for (nearly) 10 years, and just like milk, it will eventually expire. I think the milk is pretty sour now.”

Philippe Lagassé, a professor of international affairs at Carleton University in Ottawa, Canada, pointed out that although suspending Parliament would allow the Liberal Party to choose a new leader without worrying about interrupting the election, the move could still affect voter perceptions. “I think people are ready for an election. They want to move forward, but this is just delaying it.”

The Liberal infighting has also alarmed business groups and the nation’s 10 provincial premiers, who say the government must focus on dealing with possible tariffs imposed by the Trump administration.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford said, “Canada needs to demonstrate stability and strength at this critical moment, and the federal government must quickly explain to Canadians how the government will avoid tariffs that could have a devastating impact.”

Trudeau was able to appease dissent within the party before, but since last month, dissatisfaction with Trudeau has grown louder and many Liberal MPs have publicly called on him to resign. At that time, Trudeau tried to demote one of his closest allies in the cabinet, Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland, because Freeland opposed Trudeau’s plan to increase spending. In the end, Freeland chose to resign and wrote a letter accusing Trudeau of engaging in “political stunts” instead of focusing on national interests.

Freeland and former central bank governor Mark Carney, two potential candidates to succeed Trudeau, both issued brief statements thanking Trudeau for his service.

Trudeau, 53, took office in November 2015 with a “sunshine policy” and was re-elected for two terms, becoming one of Canada’s longest-serving prime ministers. He was also praised by progressives for his emphasis on gender policies. However, his approval rating began to decline two years ago, mainly due to rising commodity and housing prices and a surge in immigration in the post-epidemic period.

According to a report released by the Ipsos Canada Poll on December 22, 2024, the Conservative Party has 45% support among decisive voters, while the Liberal Party and the left-leaning New Democratic Party each have 20%.

The leader of the Conservative Party, Pierre Poilievre, called for an immediate election, criticizing the Liberal Party for being busy trying to keep its jobs, fighting for power, and letting the country get out of control. Other opposition leaders also joined the criticism, including Jagmeet Singh, leader of the New Democratic Party, who had supported the Trudeau government for many years, saying, “It doesn’t matter who is the next leader of the Liberal Party. They failed you. The Liberal Party does not deserve another chance.”

Trump responded to Trudeau’s announcement of his resignation by first reiterating that Canada could enjoy the benefits of becoming the 51st state of the United States and then complaining about Canada’s trade surplus with the United States.

Trump said on social media, “The United States can no longer afford the huge trade deficits and subsidies that Canada needs to survive. Justin Trudeau knows this, so he resigned.”