FEDERAL. On Monday morning, Justin Trudeau announced that he will resign from his position as Prime Minister of Canada and leader of the Liberal Party of Canada (PLC). He acted in the interim until a new leader was appointed.
Mr. Trudeau asked Governor General Mary Simons to prorogue Parliament until March 24, while the LPC elects its next leader. This means that the activities of the House of Commons will be adjourned until this date.
“Despite all efforts to get through this, Parliament has been paralyzed for months, following what was the longest session of a minority Parliament in our country’s history. That’s why this morning I met with the Governor General to let her know that we need a new session of Parliament. She granted my request,” explained Justin Trudeau in front of his official residence at Rideau Cottage.
The Prime Minister has already asked the president of the PLC, Sachit Mehra, to begin the necessary steps for the leadership race. “In accordance with the Constitution of the Liberal Party, I will convene a meeting of the members of the National Council to be held this week to begin the pan-Canadian democratic process of selecting a new leader of the party,” Mr. Mehra said in a message on X.
Justin Trudeau has not officially addressed the media since mid-December, since the surprise resignation of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Chrystia Freeland. This created a real shock wave within the Liberal government on the day the economic update was tabled.
Mr. Trudeau had asked him to give up his place in Finance to the former governor of the Bank of Canada, Mark Carney, on whom several Liberals are banking to lead the country in the near future, according to -. The Prime Minister’s leadership has been called into question on numerous occasions since last fall.
All-around reactions
Whether from members of Justin Trudeau’s cabinet, his political partners or opponents from other parties, reactions to the possible resignation of the Prime Minister were not long in coming.
Federal Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, François-Philippe Champagne, is grateful for Justin Trudeau’s dedication and years of service. “Whether it’s redefining the industrial landscape, seizing generational opportunities, or helping Canadians in difficult times, Canada can look to the future with confidence,” he wrote on X.
“Thank you, Mr. Prime Minister, for your leadership, your many contributions to Canada and the sacrifices you and your family have made in the name of public service. We wish you the best in your next chapters,” congratulated former Bank of Canada Director Mark Carney.
The Prime Minister of Quebec, François Legault, for his part welcomed Mr. Trudeau’s decision although their opinions “have often diverged”. “We have significant challenges awaiting us, particularly with the arrival of Donald Trump on January 20. I will continue to work with Mr. Trudeau, his successor and the government in place to avoid these tariffs,” he maintains.
As for the leaders of the opposition parties, they are calling for elections to be held as quickly as possible. This is particularly the case of the leader of the Conservative Party of Canada, Pierre Poilièvre.
“Every Liberal MP and leadership candidate supported EVERYTHING Trudeau did for 9 years, and now they want to deceive voters by trading in another Liberal face to continue ripping off Canadians for another 4 years. The only way to repair what the Liberals have broken is to hold elections to elect common-sense Conservatives who will bring back the promise of Canada,” he insists in a publication on X.
New Democratic Party Leader Jagmeet Singh said the Liberals “don’t deserve another chance” no matter who leads the LPC, and that his party is the only one defending the interests of Canadians.
At a press briefing Monday morning, the leader of the Bloc Québécois, Yves-François Blanchet, affirmed that the judgment of Quebecers on the record of the Trudeau government will be “extremely severe”. He demands that the Liberal Party face a general election as quickly as possible.
