On Monday, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced his decision to resign from both his role as Prime Minister and as the leader of Canada’s Liberal Party. According to CNN, he will resign once a new leader is chosen for the party, “I intend to resign as party leader, as prime minister, after the party selects its new leader.” Trudeau, 53, announced during a news conference in Ottawa, explaining that Canada’s parliament would remain suspended until March 24, while the leadership election process takes place. He emphasized his deep commitment to the country, explaining that his decision to step down was driven by the ongoing difficulties in parliament, which has been largely stalled for months after the longest session of a minority government in Canadian history.
Having led the Liberal Party for 11 years and served as prime minister for nine, Trudeau faced a growing array of challenges, including threats of tariffs from Donald Trump, the resignation of key supporters, and disappointing poll numbers. His choice to resign could be seen as a proactive step, stepping down before being compelled to do so, particularly with a general election approaching later this year, where he is expected to lose.
Trudeau led the Liberals to power in 2015, promising a more optimistic future for Canada with his “sunny ways” approach. He advocated for progressive causes, such as tackling climate change and addressing the historical mistreatment of Indigenous peoples. However, in his later years in office, economic dissatisfaction grew. A viral confrontation with a steelworker, who challenged Trudeau for failing to address the rising cost of living, underscored the growing frustration felt by many Canadians. “You’re not doing anything for us, Justin,” the worker said, reported by CNN, reflecting a sentiment that many shared. Additionally, Trudeau’s government experienced a major setback last year when Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland abruptly resigned just hours before she was scheduled to deliver her annual fiscal update.
In a sharp resignation letter, Freeland criticized Trudeau’s “political gimmicks,” which likely referred to initiatives such as a two-month sales tax holiday and $250 CAD ($175 USD) payments for most workers. She argued that Canada could “ill afford” these policies, which many saw as an attempt to win back voters before the upcoming election. This came at a time when the country was facing the looming threat of significant tariffs that could be imposed by the incoming Trump administration. US President-elect Donald Trump, set to assume office on January 20, had disclosed plans to sign an executive order imposing a 25% tariff on all goods imported from Canada. He also mocked Trudeau and Canada on X, referring to the prime minister as the “governor” of the “Great State of Canada.”
In response to Trudeau’s resignation on Monday, Trump reiterated his belief that Canada and the US should merge. On Truth Social, he wrote, “Many people in Canada LOVE being the 51st State. The United States can no longer suffer the massive Trade Deficits and Subsidies that Canada needs to stay afloat. Justin Trudeau knew this, and resigned.” He further claimed that if Canada were to merge with the US, there would be no tariffs, taxes would decrease significantly, and Canada would be fully secure from threats posed by Russian and Chinese naval forces. “Together, what a great Nation it would be!!!” he added.
Pierre Poilievre, who has garnered support from MAGA advocates, viewed Trudeau’s resignation as a chance to solidify his position in preparation for this year’s general election, particularly with the approaching Trump administration. In a video post on X , Poilievre made a pitch to Canadian voters, saying, “Canadians can take back control of their lives and their country.” He outlined his plans to regain control over various national issues: “Take back control of our border, immigration, spending, deficits, and inflation.” Continuing, he promised to “cap spending, cut taxes, reward hard work, build more homes, strengthen families, reduce crime, secure borders, rebuild the military, restore freedom, and prioritize Canada’s interests first, last, always.”
Now Freeland, a possible replacement for Trudeau who had indicated in December that she and Trudeau had differing views on Canada’s future direction, offered her gratitude for his service on Monday. “I thank Justin Trudeau for his years of service to Canada and Canadians. I wish him and his family the very best,” she posted on X. During his press conference, Trudeau said he had anticipated that Freeland would continue as his deputy, but she chose not to, without sharing further details of their discussions.
Among Poilievre and Freeland, there are 2 more potential candidates: Dominic LeBlanc, Mélanie Joly, and Mark Carney.
Dominic LeBlanc, who took over as finance minister after Freeland’s resignation, is a longtime friend of Trudeau. The two have known each other since LeBlanc babysat Trudeau and his brothers in Ottawa in their childhood, according to The Economic Times. Their close bond is reflected in the fact that both men served as pallbearers at each other’s fathers’ funerals. Trudeau’s father, Pierre Elliott Trudeau, was a former prime minister, while LeBlanc’s father, Romeo LeBlanc, had worked as the senior Trudeau’s press secretary before becoming Canada’s governor general, representing Queen Elizabeth in the country.
LeBlanc was a member of the Canadian delegation that traveled to Florida to meet Trump at Mar-a-Lago, Trump’s private residence and club, after he threatened to impose the import tariff. First elected to parliament in 2000, LeBlanc has held various roles in Trudeau’s government, most recently serving as the Minister of Public Safety. He had considered running for the Liberal leadership in 2012, but decided against it after Trudeau shared his own plans to pursue the position.
Mélanie Joly has served as Canada’s foreign minister since 2021. Despite her reservations, including concerns about how the position might impact her fertility treatments, Trudeau urged her to progress in her career in politics by taking on the role.
In her position, Joly has adopted a pragmatic approach to diplomacy, stressing the importance of Canada engaging with leaders who have opposing foreign policy views. “There’s that movement — which I am profoundly against — which is if you don’t engage with countries, you’re sending a message that you’re strong,” she told The New York Times . She added, “I think that to be strong is to be able to have tough conversations.”
Joly has spearheaded Canada’s Indo-Pacific Strategy but has faced several challenges along the way. She ordered the expulsion of six Indian diplomats from Canada and dealt with allegations of foreign interference from both China and India.
Trudeau’s team had been discreetly aligning themselves with Mark Carney, the former governor of both the Bank of Canada and the Bank of England, to replace Freeland as Canada’s finance minister. Carney and Freeland have been close friends for several years, and he is the godfather of Freeland’s son. Attempts to recruit Carney fell apart after Freeland’s public disagreement with Trudeau and her subsequent resignation from the cabinet, according to The New York Times. Since then, Canadian media have proclaimed that Carney has been contacting Liberal Members of Parliament to garner their support and advice should he choose to run for leadership.
During his tenure as governor of the Bank of England, Carney became established for his frequent, almost sermon-like speeches, which sometimes touched on political issues, particularly his warnings about the financial risks associated with climate change. In his recent book, Values, Carney delivered a harsh critique of capitalism, proposing that markets should be more focused on serving the needs of citizens.
Following Trudeau’s resignation, Canada stands at a crucial juncture in its political evolution. With potential leaders such as Freeland, Poilievre, Joly, and Carney stepping forward, the country is heading into a period of change. Trudeau’s departure, amidst escalating economic issues and a divided political climate, paves the way for a new era of leadership. While Freeland, Poilievre, and Joly have already established themselves in key positions, Carney’s potential leadership bid brings a figure with international experience, though his previous criticisms of capitalism and political stances could influence his journey. As the Liberal Party readies itself for a leadership contest, Canada’s future remains uncertain, with key discussions on economic policy, national security, and foreign relations expected to take center stage in the months ahead.
