In a stunning political development, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is expected to announce his resignation today at 10:45 am EST (15:45 GMT), CBC News has reported.
The announcement comes amid mounting pressure from within his party and a dramatic decline in public support for his leadership.
Trudeau is set to address the nation from Rideau Cottage, his temporary residence in Ottawa, marking his first interaction with reporters since November. Sources cited by The Globe and Mail claim that Trudeau plans to step down before an emergency meeting of the Liberal Party scheduled for Wednesday. This preemptive move is reportedly intended to avoid the perception that he was forced out by his own MPs.
The political crisis has been building for months. Trudeau’s popularity has plummeted as Canadians grapple with record inflation, an acute housing shortage, soaring food prices, and growing dissatisfaction with long-standing political leadership.
Recent polling showed the Liberals at a dismal 16% approval rating, the party’s lowest pre-election standing in over a century. Adding to this decline, nearly two dozen Liberal backbenchers signed a letter in October urging Trudeau to step aside, warning of a looming electoral disaster in the 2025 federal election.
The crisis intensified in December with the resignation of Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland, a key Trudeau ally. In a blunt resignation letter, Freeland questioned Trudeau’s ability to lead Canada through increasingly fraught economic and geopolitical challenges, including tensions with former U.S. President Donald Trump.
Her departure also destabilized the alliance with the New Democratic Party, which had previously supported Trudeau’s minority government.
Trudeau’s international reputation, once bolstered by his progressive ideals, was tarnished during his interactions with Trump. Despite efforts to placate the former U.S. president, including a visit to Florida, Trump publicly ridiculed Trudeau, belittling him as the “governor” of Canada and questioning Canada’s sovereignty. This strained relationship contributed to Trudeau’s domestic troubles and diminished his standing on the global stage.
As Conservative Party leader Pierre Poilievre continues to gain ground, he has called for an immediate election, accusing Trudeau’s government of being “spiraling out of control.” While an election is widely expected in the spring, it remains unclear whether Trudeau will stay on as prime minister until a new Liberal leader is chosen.
Trudeau’s tenure as Liberal leader began in 2013 when the party was at its nadir. His leadership brought renewed hope, and his early years in office were seen internationally as a symbol of progressive governance. However, his legacy has been overshadowed by economic struggles, voter fatigue, and internal party dissent.
Today’s press conference is expected to mark the end of an era for the eldest son of Pierre Trudeau, one of Canada’s most iconic prime ministers.
As Canadians await his statement, the future of the Liberal Party hangs in the balance, with questions about its ability to recover in time for a potential spring election.