Canadian PM resigns; to remain PM till further orders
SJ Singh/Diaspora Correspondent/ January 6,2025
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has resigned and stepping down as the party chief. “I intend to resign as party leader, as prime minister, after the party selects its new leader,” the 53-year-old told reporters at a press conference in Ottawa on Monday (local Canadian Time).
Trudeau stated that ongoing “internal battles” have led him to conclude he “cannot be the best option” for the upcoming Canada election. Justin Trudeau will remain in office until a new leader of the Liberal Party is appointed.
Trudeau said he took the decision to step down as PM after long meeting with wife and children. He also stepped aside as party leader.
Justin Trudeau says despite best efforts parliament paralysed for months but he is a fighter who cares for the country.
As per reports, he would quit as leader of Canada’s ruling Liberal Party after nine years in office.
Trudeau, who became Liberal leader in 2013 and prime minister in the fall of 2015, announced his long-awaited decision outside his official residence, Rideau Cottage, on Monday morning.
Trudeau also said he asked Gov. Gen. Mary Simon to prorogue Parliament until March 24, and she granted the request.
Trudeau has been under mounting pressure to resign amid sinking public opinion polling, including from his own caucus.
The prime minister says he is “excited” to see the Liberal Party leadership process unfold in the months ahead.
“We were elected for the third time in 2021 to strengthen the economy post-pandemic and advance Canada’s interests in a complicated world; that is exactly the job that I – and we – will continue to do for Canadians,” Trudeau said.
Who could replace Trudeau as next Liberal leader?
Here are some of the people expected to be in the running to lead the party into the next election:
- Chrystia Freeland: A longtime Trudeau political ally, Freeland resigned last month over what she said was a disagreement with the prime minister over how to handle Donald Trump’s US tariffs threat against Canada.
- Mark Carney: A former head of the Bank of Canada, Carney has been advising the Liberal government on economic matters. For months, rumours have swirled around the prospect of Carney joining Trudeau’s government.
- Melanie Joly: As Canada’s foreign affairs minister, Joly has built up a national and international profile as a key member of Trudeau’s team. A failed Montreal mayoral candidate, she has been a staunch Trudeau ally.
- Dominic LeBlanc: Also seen as a close ally of Trudeau, he was appointed finance minister after Freeland’s departure.
- Francois-Philippe Champagne: The minister of innovation, science and industry since 2021, Champagne was the minister of foreign affairs before that.
