Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced his resignation on Monday, stating his intention to step down as Canada's leader and head of the ruling Liberal Party once a new party leader is selected. “I plan to resign as party leader and prime minister after the party chooses its new leader,” the 53-year-old leader said at a press conference in Ottawa on Monday. He also mentioned that Canada’s parliament will be suspended until March 24 to allow time for the Liberal Party to select a new leader. Trudeau expressed one significant regret: failing to reform Canada’s electoral system before the upcoming general election, which is expected this fall. “If I have one regret, particularly as we approach this election well, probably many regrets, but I wish we had been able to change the way we elect our governments so that people could rank their choices on the ballot,” Trudeau stated.
He will remain as prime minister until a new Liberal Party leader is chosen, with the date yet to be determined by the party.
Trudeau requested the suspension of parliament until March 24 to facilitate the leadership transition.
Trudeau came to power nearly a decade ago, initially celebrated as the fresh face of progressive politics. In 2015, his charismatic leadership propelled the Liberals from a third-place party to a majority in parliament, an unprecedented achievement in Canadian politics.
Now, at 53, Trudeau is the longest-serving leader in the G7 and the last remaining leader from his initial cohort, which included figures like Barack Obama, Angela Merkel, Shinzo Abe, and David Cameron. However, over the years and through two general elections, Trudeau’s leadership has become a liability for the party.
Paul Wells, a Canadian political journalist and author of Justin Trudeau on the Ropes, described Trudeau as a "consequential" prime minister, particularly for his work on indigenous reconciliation and climate policy. However, Wells noted that Trudeau often seemed increasingly disconnected from public opinion and struggled to adapt to changing times.
On Monday, Trudeau highlighted his achievements, including managing the COVID-19 pandemic, renegotiating a free trade agreement with the Trump administration, and introducing a child benefit program credited with reducing poverty.
However, his tenure was marred by ethics scandals, including violations of federal conflict of interest rules in the SNC-Lavalin affair and controversies over luxury trips and the awarding of a government program to a charity with ties to his family. These issues contributed to the Liberal Party’s reduced majority in the 2019 general election, forcing them to rely on other parties for support. A snap election in 2021 failed to improve their standing.
Trudeau has also faced criticism over his handling of rising living costs, inflation, and perceived failures in delivering on major promises. His government’s ambitious immigration targets were scaled back last year due to management concerns, adding to public frustration.
After more than nine years in office, Trudeau stands as one of Canada’s longest-serving prime ministers. However, his government now faces widespread fatigue and frustration from the public.
