The political landscape of Canada, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau may resign as early as Monday, January 6, according to reports from national newspapers The Globe and Mail and The Toronto Star. The reports indicate that sources within the Liberal Party expect Trudeau to step down ahead of the party’s national caucus meeting scheduled for Wednesday.
The Liberal Party, under Trudeau’s leadership, has been grappling with internal dissent and diminishing public support. Sources cited by the newspapers suggest that Trudeau’s resignation announcement could come within the next 24 hours, although his office has refrained from commenting on the speculation when approached by AFP.
Trudeau’s potential departure comes at a critical juncture, as the Liberal Party faces legislative elections set for October. This timing raises questions about the party’s preparedness to contest the elections without a firmly established leader.
It remains unclear whether Trudeau would serve as the interim leader or vacate his position immediately upon resigning as Prime Minister. His exit could plunge the party into a leadership vacuum just months before Canadians head to the polls.
Trudeau’s popularity has taken a significant hit recently, with his government narrowly surviving a series of no-confidence votes. His critics have intensified calls for his resignation, arguing that his leadership no longer resonates with the electorate.
Trudeau’s tenure has also been marked by strained relations with the incoming US administration. President-elect Donald Trump has threatened to impose a 25 percent tariff on Canadian goods, adding pressure on Trudeau’s government. In December, Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland resigned after clashing with Trudeau over the response to Trump’s trade threats, marking the first overt dissent within his cabinet.
The situation further escalated when Trudeau reshuffled his cabinet, altering a third of his team in a bid to stabilize his government. However, these measures seem to have done little to quell the turmoil within the party or restore public confidence.
Trudeau’s relationship with Trump has been contentious, with the US president-elect launching personal attacks on social media. Trump has derisively referred to Trudeau as the “governor” of Canada and suggested that Canada could become the 51st state of the United States—a notion that Trudeau and Canadian officials have found deeply offensive.
Justin Trudeau’s political journey began in earnest in 2008 when he was first elected to the House of Commons, representing a working-class Montreal neighborhood. As the son of the legendary former Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau, Justin initially pursued careers outside politics, including stints as a snowboard instructor, bartender, and teacher.
Trudeau’s ascent to the Prime Minister’s office in 2015 marked a new chapter for the Liberal Party. His administration brought in significant reforms, including Senate reform, the legalization of cannabis, and the introduction of a carbon tax aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions. His government also oversaw a public inquiry into missing and murdered Indigenous women and passed legislation permitting medically assisted suicide.
However, the current political climate is markedly different from the optimism that characterized Trudeau’s initial years in office. His Liberal Party now trails the Conservative Party, led by Pierre Poilievre, by a staggering 20 points in public opinion polls.
Should Trudeau resign, the Liberal Party will face the formidable challenge of rallying behind a new leader capable of reversing its fortunes ahead of the October elections. The internal dissent and waning public support underscore the need for a unifying figure who can address the party’s challenges and present a compelling vision for Canada’s future.
Trudeau’s potential resignation also raises broader questions about the direction of Canadian politics and the country’s position on the global stage. His tenure has been marked by efforts to balance progressive domestic policies with the realities of an increasingly fractious international environment.
