Canada's Justin Trudeau Likely To Resign Ahead Of Key Party Meeting This Week, Says Report

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is reportedly considering stepping down as leader of the ruling Liberal Party after nine years in office, reported The Hindu on Monday (6 January).

While no final decision has been made, an announcement could come as soon as today.

Trudeau might announce his resignation as early as Monday, ahead of an emergency meeting of Liberal legislators on Wednesday, The Globe and Mail reported.

The Canadian Prime Minister’s Office has not commented on the reports, and a source speaking to news agency Reuters said the timeline remains uncertain.

Trudeau’s departure would leave the Liberals without a permanent leader at a time when polls suggest the opposition Conservatives are poised to win the next federal election, due by late October.

Concerns over the party’s declining popularity have led several Liberal parliamentarians to urge Trudeau to step aside.

If Trudeau resigns, discussions are underway about who might serve as interim leader. Finance Minister Dominic LeBlanc has been approached, but his potential candidacy for the permanent leadership complicates the matter.

In December, Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland, once a close ally, resigned after clashing with Trudeau over his spending proposals. Her resignation letter accused him of prioritising “political gimmicks” over the country’s best interests.

Trudeau first became Liberal leader in 2013 when the party was in a precarious position, and he propelled them to power in 2015 with promises of “sunny ways” and a progressive agenda.

However, challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic, soaring prices, and housing market pressures have eroded public support.

Despite heavy government spending to support businesses and consumers during the pandemic, record deficits and a strained immigration system have fuelled public dissatisfaction.

Trudeau’s tenure also faced criticism for governance missteps and internal party divisions.

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