Why has Justin Trudeau resigned – and what’s next for Canada?
After spats with allies, pressure from Donald Trump, and falling poll numbers, Trudeau has decided to call it quits.
Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has announced his intention to step aside once a new Liberal Party leader is picked
By Tips & Tricks News Guide
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has announced his resignation as leader of the Liberal Party, citing growing dissent within its ranks.
The decision, revealed on Monday, comes amid intense speculation about his political future, fueled by public disagreements with former allies, a looming no-confidence motion scheduled for later in January, and declining poll numbers.
"Every morning I’ve woken up as prime minister, I’ve been inspired by the resilience, generosity, and determination of Canadians," Justin Trudeau said in a statement from his residence at Rideau Cottage in Ottawa.
Announcing his decision to step down as Liberal Party leader, Trudeau acknowledged the party's challenges heading into the federal election. He confirmed he would remain in his role until a successor is chosen.
"This country deserves a real choice in the next election, and it has become clear to me that if I’m fighting internal battles, I cannot be the best option for Canadians in that election," he said.
Trudeau shared his intentions during the Liberal Party’s national caucus meeting on Wednesday.
Here's a breakdown of Trudeau's resignation: its reasons, the events leading up to this moment, and its implications for Canada.
Who is Trudeau?
Justin Trudeau, 53, rose to power in 2015 and led the Liberal Party to victory in two subsequent elections, in 2019 and 2021.
The eldest son of Pierre Trudeau, Canada’s charismatic former prime minister who passed away in 2000, Justin entered politics after a varied career as a snowboard instructor, bartender, bouncer, and teacher. He was first elected to the House of Commons in 2008, representing a working-class neighborhood in Montreal.
As prime minister, Trudeau introduced significant reforms, including overhauling the Senate to make it less political and more transparent by ending partisan appointments and implementing a merit-based selection process. He also signed a new trade agreement with the United States, introduced a carbon tax to combat greenhouse gas emissions, and legalized cannabis.
During his tenure, he launched a public inquiry into missing and murdered Indigenous women, passed legislation permitting medically assisted suicide, and worked to strengthen support for the middle class.
Reflecting on his accomplishments during Monday’s announcement, Trudeau said, “We got elected in 2015 to fight for the middle class, and that’s exactly what we’ve done over the past years. We’ve reduced their taxes, increased benefits to families, and ensured the economy works for everyone—not just a select few.”
How did we get here?
Trudeau's popularity has declined in recent months, as his government narrowly survived several no-confidence votes and faced growing calls from critics for his resignation.
Trudeau had vowed to lead the Liberals into the next election but faced mounting pressure, including from incoming U.S. President Donald Trump, who threatened a 25-percent tariff on Canadian goods.
Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland resigned in December after clashing with Trudeau over how to address Trump’s proposed tariff and “America First” economic policies. Her departure marked the first open dissent against Trudeau within his cabinet.
In a post on X, Freeland revealed that Trudeau had asked her to step down as finance minister, citing their disagreements on handling the tariff threat and broader economic strategies.
Since her resignation, a growing number of Liberal parliamentarians, concerned by a series of dismal polls, have publicly called for Trudeau to step aside.
What happens next?
Trudeau has called for a prorogation of Canada’s Parliament, pausing its sessions until March 24, a request approved by Governor General Mary Simon.
His departure marks the beginning of a leadership race to determine his successor as head of the Liberal Party.
This leadership contest comes at a critical juncture, with a federal election set to take place before October 20. Recent polls indicate that, under Trudeau’s leadership, the Liberals would face a significant defeat to the rival Conservatives if an election were held today.
“I intend to resign as party leader and prime minister after the party selects its next leader through a robust, nationwide, competitive process,” Trudeau stated.
With Trudeau announcing his intention to step aside, the Liberals must now organize a special leadership convention to select their next leader.
The party faces a significant challenge, as such conventions typically take months to arrange. If an election occurs before the process is complete, the Liberals could find themselves led by a prime minister not chosen by party members—a scenario unprecedented in Canadian history.
While the Liberals might consider holding an expedited convention, this could lead to backlash from candidates who feel disadvantaged by a shorter timeline.
Here are some of the politicians frequently mentioned as potential contenders for the Liberal Party’s leadership:
Mark Carney: A renowned economist and former governor of the Bank of Canada, Carney has been advising the Liberal government on economic issues.
François-Philippe Champagne: Serving as the minister of innovation, science, and industry since 2021, Champagne previously held the role of minister of foreign affairs.
Chrystia Freeland: The MP for University–Rosedale in Ontario and former deputy prime minister, Freeland was once a key advisor to Trudeau. Her departure from his government highlighted divisions within his leadership. She is seen as a credible and stable alternative, consistently polling as the strongest Liberal candidate ahead of elections.
Mélanie Joly: The current minister of foreign affairs, Joly has been active on the international stage and is expected to play a key role in addressing U.S.-Canada relations under Trump’s leadership. She has been a steadfast supporter of Trudeau.
Dominic LeBlanc: A close ally of Trudeau, LeBlanc took over as finance minister following Freeland’s resignation.
How does Trump figure in all of this?
The United States president-elect has threatened to impose sweeping tariffs on Canada, Mexico, and China—America's three largest trading partners—as soon as he assumes office on January 20.
“Both Mexico and Canada have the absolute right and power to easily solve this long-simmering problem,” Trump wrote in a November post on his social media platform, Truth Social. “We hereby demand that they use this power, and until such time that they do, it is time for them to pay a very big price!”
In an effort to avert a trade war, Trudeau traveled to Florida in November to meet with Trump at his Mar-a-Lago estate. However, tensions escalated as Trump publicly ridiculed Trudeau, repeatedly referring to him on social media as the "governor" of Canada and suggesting that making Canada the 51st U.S. state would be a “great idea.”
Trump’s allies have also joined in the attacks. Billionaire tech entrepreneur Elon Musk, for instance, responded to news of Trudeau’s planned resignation with a post on his social media platform X, stating, “2025 is looking good.”
Who is Pierre Poilievre?
He is widely seen as the frontrunner to become prime minister following Canada’s next election.
In recent polls, Trudeau has been trailing Conservative Party leader Pierre Poilievre by 20 points.
Poilievre is known for his blunt remarks. He has described Montreal Mayor Valerie Plante as “incompetent,” called New Democratic Party leader Jagmeet Singh a “sellout,” and labeled Trudeau as “weak” and a “wacko.”
The latter insult led to Poilievre being temporarily expelled from the House of Commons in April for using “unparliamentary language.” While debates in Canadian Parliament are typically reserved, they have become increasingly tense and heated in recent months.
Like Trump, Poilievre is known for using short, catchy phrases to convey his political messages.
He has called to “axe the tax,” referring to the federal carbon tax, and coined the term “Justinflation,” combining Trudeau’s name with the word “inflation.”
Similar to Trump, Poilievre portrays himself as a victim of mistreatment by elites and the traditional media. He also faces low support among women, another parallel to Trump’s struggles with that demographic.
In 2022, despite his 20 years of political experience, Poilievre was viewed as an outsider during the Conservative leadership race. Nonetheless, his rallies attracted large crowds.
Born in Calgary and raised by an adoptive family, Poilievre developed a passion for politics early on. He even won a prize for an essay on what he would do if he were prime minister during his university years.
With polls suggesting he’s likely to win the next election, Poilievre has promised to put “Canada first!”—a slogan strikingly similar to Trump’s “America first!”
On Monday, Poilievre revisited that slogan in a social media video celebrating Trudeau’s decision to step down.
“Canada first, Canada last, Canada always,” he declared, urging voters to unite behind him. “Let’s bring it home.”
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