6 January 2025: Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is reportedly poised to step down after nine years as Liberal Party leader, though he has yet to make a final decision, a source close to the matter said Sunday.
The claim followed a report by the Globe and Mail, which suggested Trudeau could announce his resignation as early as Monday. The source, who spoke to Reuters anonymously due to lack of authorization to discuss the matter publicly, stated Trudeau’s decision could precede an emergency meeting of Liberal legislators scheduled for Wednesday.
Trudeau’s resignation would leave the Liberal Party without a permanent leader as it faces dire poll numbers against the opposition Conservatives. An election is mandated by October, and internal party dissent appears to be mounting.
Increasingly, Liberal lawmakers have urged Trudeau to step aside, citing ongoing political challenges and declining public confidence. Since December, frustration within the party intensified following Trudeau’s failed attempt to demote Chrystia Freeland from her role as finance minister. Freeland, a key ally, resigned in protest, accusing Trudeau of prioritizing “political gimmicks” over national interests in her resignation letter.
On Monday, Trudeau is slated to join a virtual cabinet meeting on Canada-U.S. relations, according to his publicly released schedule. The PMO has yet to comment on reports of his impending resignation.
Discussions have reportedly taken place about possible interim leadership, including Finance Minister Dominic LeBlanc stepping in temporarily. However, sources told Globe and Mail this option might be untenable if LeBlanc decides to seek the permanent leadership.
Trudeau’s departure, if confirmed, marks the end of an era defined by his 2015 victory on promises of “sunny ways,” a progressive agenda, and climate action. Over time, challenges such as managing pandemic fallout, economic instability, surging prices, and housing shortages eroded his popularity. While Ottawa’s heavy pandemic spending cushioned businesses and consumers, rising costs, coupled with controversial immigration policies, stoked public discontent.
Trudeau assumed leadership of the Liberals in 2013 during one of its lowest points, successfully reviving the party after its historic collapse to third place. His exit could ignite calls for a swift election to stabilize governance amid uncertainty.
