Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has announced his resignation. What are the next steps?
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Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced his resignation on Monday, stating his plans to step down as Canada’s prime minister and leader of the ruling Liberal Party once a new party leader is selected.
“I intend to resign as party leader and as prime minister after the party chooses its new leader,” the 53-year-old leader said during a news conference in Ottawa.
Trudeau also announced that Canada’s parliament will be suspended until March 24 to allow time for the Liberal Party to select a new leader.
Reflecting on his tenure, Trudeau expressed one notable regret: his failure to reform Canada’s electoral system ahead of the upcoming general election, expected this fall.
“If I have one regret, especially as we approach this election — though there are likely many I’ll reflect on — it’s that we weren’t able to change how we elect our governments,” he said. “I wish we had implemented a system where voters could rank their first, second, or third choices on the same ballot.”
How did we get here?
Trudeau, leader of the Liberal Party for 11 years and prime minister for nine, faced a growing wave of challenges, ranging from Donald Trump’s tariff threats to the resignation of key allies and plummeting approval ratings. His decision to step down could be interpreted as a strategic retreat, opting to leave before being forced out, with a general election looming later this year—one he was widely predicted to lose.
Trudeau brought the Liberals to power in 2015 with promises of “sunny ways” for Canada. He prioritized progressive causes such as tackling climate change and addressing historical injustices against Indigenous communities. However, his later years in office have been overshadowed by increasing economic dissatisfaction.
A viral exchange with a steelworker epitomized the growing frustration among Canadians. Criticizing Trudeau for failing to tackle the rising cost of living, the worker bluntly remarked, “You’re not really doing anything for us, Justin,” a sentiment that struck a chord with many.
Adding to the turmoil, Trudeau’s government was shaken last year by the unexpected resignation of Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland, just hours before she was set to deliver her annual fiscal update.In a scathing resignation letter, she condemned Trudeau's "political gimmicks," likely referencing a two-month sales tax holiday and $250 CAD ($175 USD) rebates for most workers.
Freeland argued that Canada could "ill afford" these measures, which she described as pre-election giveaways aimed at regaining voter support. Her criticism comes as the country braces for significant economic challenges, including the looming threat of steep tariffs from the incoming Trump administration.
U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, set to return to the White House on January 20, has announced plans to sign an executive order imposing a 25% tariff on all goods imported from Canada. Trump has also taken to social media to mock both Trudeau and Canada, derisively referring to the prime minister as the "governor" of the "Great State of Canada."
What comes next?
The Liberal Party's national executive, which oversees leadership matters, is set to convene this week, likely following a caucus meeting. The suspension of Parliament is intended to provide the party with time to select a new leader.
Potential successors include Mark Carney, the former governor of the Bank of England and Bank of Canada; Mélanie Joly, the foreign minister; and Chrystia Freeland, the former deputy prime minister.
The party hopes that new leadership could revitalize the Liberals ahead of the general election scheduled for October 20. Current polls indicate the Liberal Party, led by Justin Trudeau, trails the opposition Conservative Party, headed by the outspoken Pierre Poilievre.
“This country deserves a real choice in the next election, and it has become clear to me that if I’m having to fight internal battles, I cannot be the best option in that election,” Trudeau said on Monday.
Trudeau has been elected three times, most recently in 2021, when he retained power but lost his parliamentary majority. Since then, Poilievre’s Conservatives have gained a lead of over 20% in national polling averages.
Speaking to reporters on Monday, Trudeau criticized Poilievre’s vision for Canada.
“Abandoning the fight against climate change doesn’t make sense. Retreating from the values of diversity and unity that Canada has long upheld is not the right path for our country. Attacking journalists and institutions like the CBC is not what Canadians need at this moment. We need an ambitious, optimistic vision for the future—and Pierre Poilievre is not offering that,” Trudeau said.
What others are saying
Reacting to Trudeau’s resignation on Monday, President-elect Trump reiterated his proposal for Canada and the United States to merge.
"Many Canadians LOVE the idea of being the 51st State. The United States can no longer tolerate the massive trade deficits and subsidies that Canada relies on to stay afloat. Justin Trudeau knew this and resigned," Trump wrote on Truth Social.
"If Canada joined the U.S., there would be no tariffs, taxes would plummet, and they would be TOTALLY SECURE from the threats posed by Russian and Chinese ships constantly near their borders. Together, we’d form a truly great nation!" he added.
Pierre Poilievre, who has gained traction among Trump’s MAGA base and is emerging as a key contender for Canada’s upcoming general election, also used Trudeau’s resignation as an opportunity to appeal to voters.
"Canadians can take back control of their lives and their country," Poilievre said in a video posted on X. "Take back control of our borders. Take back control of immigration. Take back control of spending, deficits, and inflation.
"We’ll cap spending, cut taxes, reward hard work, build homes, support families, stop crime, secure borders, rearm our forces, restore freedoms, and put Canada first," he added.
Meanwhile, Chrystia Freeland, considered a potential successor to Trudeau, reflected on their differences while expressing gratitude for his leadership.
"I thank Justin Trudeau for his years of service to Canada and Canadians. I wish him and his family the very best," Freeland wrote on X.
During Monday’s press conference, Trudeau acknowledged he had hoped Freeland would continue as his deputy. "But she chose otherwise," he said, declining to elaborate on their discussions.
