Justin Trudeau stepping down as Liberal leader, to stay on as PM for now
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is stepping down as leader of the Liberal Party of Canada.
Kkritika Suri
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau Announces Resignation as Leader of the Liberal Party of Canada
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has announced that he will step down as the leader of the Liberal Party of Canada but will continue serving as prime minister until a successor is chosen.
In a historic statement made outside his official residence at Rideau Cottage, Trudeau confirmed his decision to step aside as party leader. He also shared that he had met with Governor General Mary Simon earlier in the day, where he requested the prorogation of Parliament until March 24. This request was granted, marking the end of the longest session of a minority Parliament in Canadian history.
Trudeau is expected to address the media soon to discuss the political implications of his resignation and the subsequent changes.
This marks the first time Trudeau has spoken publicly in-depth since his government faced significant turmoil following the resignation of Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland in mid-December.
Political Ramifications and Parliamentary Pause
The request for prorogation is seen as a strategy to give the Liberal Party time to organize an expedited leadership race without the threat of a non-confidence vote. Parliament was originally scheduled to reconvene on January 27, but the opposition parties, particularly the Conservatives and the NDP, had planned to introduce motions aimed at toppling the government shortly thereafter.
If approved, the prorogation would dissolve the current parliamentary session, suspending all pending legislative business, including any initiatives outlined in Trudeau's fall economic statement.
Legal counsel advised that March would be the latest the government could continue without approving new spending, which is why the prorogation is set until late March. The new parliamentary session will begin with a Speech from the Throne, which could lead to a confidence vote, potentially triggering an early federal election if the Liberals lose the vote.
Internal Discussions Amid Mounting Pressure
Following Trudeau’s announcement, sources confirmed that staffers from the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) convened to discuss his political future. Reports indicated that Trudeau and Chief of Staff Katie Telford informed the team that they no longer saw a viable path forward for his leadership, especially with a lack of support from the Liberal caucus.
Several regional caucuses, including those from Ontario, Atlantic Canada, Quebec, and British Columbia, expressed their desire for Trudeau to step down over the holiday period. A special caucus meeting has been scheduled for Wednesday to address this issue and decide on the next steps.
Leadership Race Preparation
As Trudeau faces increasing pressure, preparations for a potential leadership race are already underway. Liberal MPs have been briefed on the party’s constitution and leadership rules ahead of an expected leadership vote.
According to the party’s constitution, if a leader resigns, a meeting of the national board of directors must occur within 27 days. The board would then consult with the caucus to appoint an interim leader and set a date for a leadership vote.
Trudeau has led the Liberal Party since 2013 and became prime minister in 2015. His resignation comes at a time of political uncertainty as the party heads into the 2025 federal election.
This is an ongoing story and will be updated with new developments.
