• Justin Trudeau announced his resignation as Canada's Prime Minister, stating he will step down once the Liberal Party selects a new leader.
  • Parliament has been prorogued until March 24 to allow the Liberal Party to conduct a leadership race ahead of the federal elections in October.

Justin Trudeau has announced his resignation as Canada’s prime minister after nearly a decade in office, stating that Canadians deserve a "real choice" in leadership for the upcoming federal elections.

Trudeau revealed he will step down once the Liberal Party selects a new leader, emphasizing his struggles with internal party dissent and the challenges of leading a minority Parliament.

During an emotional press conference, Trudeau said,

“I intend to resign as party leader, as Prime Minister after the party selects its next leader...Last night I asked the president of the Liberal Party to start that process.” He added, “This country deserves a real choice in the next election and it has become clear to me that I am having to fight internal battles, I cannot be the best option in that election.”

The Liberal Party will initiate a “robust, nationwide competitive process” to elect Trudeau’s replacement. Notable potential candidates include Chrystia Freeland, Canada’s deputy prime minister and finance minister, and Mark Carney, former governor of the Bank of England and the Bank of Canada. Trudeau will remain as caretaker prime minister until the new leader is chosen.

Trudeau’s tenure, which began in 2015, was initially celebrated for ushering Canada back to its liberal roots. However, his leadership has recently faced criticism over rising housing and food costs, an immigration surge, and muted responses to U.S. tariff threats. Dissatisfaction within his party further escalated calls for his resignation ahead of federal elections scheduled for October.

Reflecting on his decision, Trudeau remarked,

“I am a fighter...But I do this job because the interests of Canadians and the well-being of democracy is something I hold dear.”

He acknowledged that Parliament has been paralyzed for months, prompting him to request the Governor General to prorogue it until March 24.

Trudeau’s departure marks the end of an era, leaving the Liberal Party at a crossroads as it prepares to redefine its leadership.

Edited by Harshajit Sarmah