Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau Resigns

Facing mounting pressure within his party, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has announced plans to step down, concluding his nine-year tenure as Liberal leader.

Trudeau confirmed he would remain in office until the Liberal Party selects a new leader, with parliament set to be suspended until March 24.

“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,” he stated during a press conference on Monday.

Trudeau’s declining popularity among Canadians had increasingly weighed on the Liberal Party ahead of federal elections later this year.

“Last night, over dinner, I told my kids about the decision that I’m sharing with you today,” he said. “I intend to resign as party leader, as prime minister, after the party selects its next leader through a robust nationwide competitive process.”

Liberal Party president Sachit Mehra announced that the party’s board of directors would convene this week to initiate the leadership selection process.

“Liberals across the country are immensely grateful to Justin Trudeau for more than a decade of leadership to our Party and the country,” Mehra said in a statement. He highlighted achievements under Trudeau’s leadership, including the Canada Child Benefit, $10-a-day child care, Canada’s first national climate plan, pandemic relief efforts, and the establishment of dental care and universal pharmacare.

Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre was quick to criticize, arguing Trudeau’s resignation changes little. “Every Liberal MP and leadership contender supported EVERYTHING Trudeau did for 9 years, and now they want to trick voters by swapping in another Liberal face to keep ripping off Canadians for another 4 years, just like Justin,” he wrote on X.