Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has announced his resignation following nine years of service in office.
Trudeau stepped down from his position as the leader of Canada’s ruling Liberal Party on Monday, prior to the party caucus meeting scheduled for Wednesday.
The announcement of Trudeau's resignation follows a series of discouraging opinion polls that prompted an increasing number of Liberal lawmakers to publicly call for his departure. During a press conference in Ottawa on Monday, Trudeau indicated that he would relinquish his duties as Prime Minister once his party had selected a new leader.
“This country deserves a genuine choice in the next election, and it has become evident to me that if I am engaged in internal disputes, I cannot present the best option for that election,” Trudeau stated.
His resignation leaves the party without a permanent leader at a critical juncture, as polls suggest that the Liberals are likely to face significant challenges against the opposition Conservative Party in the upcoming federal election, set for October 2025.
In recent by-elections held in June and September 2024, the Liberal Party experienced losses in long-held parliamentary seats in Montreal and Toronto to Conservative candidates.
Trudeau assumed leadership of the Liberal Party in 2013 when the party was facing considerable difficulties and had been relegated to third place in the House of Commons for the first time. Throughout his tenure, he has faced criticism for economic management, particularly regarding immigration policies that have resulted in the influx of thousands of migrants, thereby exacerbating an already strained housing market.
Critics have frequently highlighted various economic challenges during his time in office, including rising inflation, increased costs of living, and difficulties in housing affordability. Conversely, supporters assert that many of these economic conditions are influenced by global factors, such as the COVID-19 pandemic and geopolitical tensions. The discourse continues as Canadians assess the efficacy of his policies and their implications for daily life.