Justin Trudeau Resigns As Canada PM & Party Leader, Reveals His 'One Regret'

Last Updated:January 07, 2025, 00:06 IST

Trudeau's resignation would leave the party without a leader just months before the next legislative elections, scheduled for the end of October

Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has been facing dissent within the party. (AP Image)

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who announced his resignation on Monday, expressed that his “one regret" was not being able to reform the way governments are elected in Canada.

Trudeau further wished that Canadians could have the option to choose a second or third choice on the same ballot, allowing for a more flexible voting system.

“If I have one regret, particularly as we approach this election — well, probably many regrats that I will think of," he said. “But I do wish we’d been able to change the way we elect our governments in this country so that people could simply choose a second choice, or a third choice on the same ballot."

Trudeau confirmed he would step down as Prime Minister once the Liberal Party elects a new leader, following months of declining poll numbers and growing internal division.

“I intend to resign as party leader and Prime Minister after the party selects its next leader," said Trudeau, who has been in office since 2015. His announcement follows increasing calls from his party for him to step down amidst a protracted political crisis.

Reports had earlier surfaced that Trudeau might resign as Liberal Party leader as early as Monday, amid rising dissent within the party.

According to several media reports, including The Globe and Mail and The Toronto Star, sources within the Liberal Party expect him to step down ahead of the national caucus meeting on Wednesday.

The announcement could come within the next 24 hours, sources told both newspapers on Sunday. Trudeau’s resignation would leave the party without a leader just months before the next legislative elections, scheduled for the end of October.

It is still unclear whether the 53-year-old would remain as interim leader or vacate the position immediately if he resigns as prime minister.

One source, who recently spoke to the Canadian Prime Minister, said Trudeau understands the need to make a statement before meeting the Liberal caucus to avoid the appearance of being forced out by his own MPs. The three sources noted they are uncertain about the plans of the Liberal Party national executive to replace Trudeau as leader, The Globe and Mail reported.

Trudeau Faces Growing Pressure To Resign

This development comes as Trudeau’s popularity has declined in recent months, with his government narrowly surviving several no-confidence votes and critics calling for his resignation. He had pledged to stay on and lead the Liberals into the elections but has faced increased pressure, especially from incoming US president Donald Trump, who threatened a 25% tariff on Canadian goods.

In December, Canadian Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland resigned after disagreeing with Trudeau over how to handle Trump’s proposed tariffs, marking the first public dissent within his cabinet. In response, Trudeau reshuffled his cabinet later that month, replacing a third of his team in an effort to manage the growing political turmoil.

Trudeau, who swept to power in 2015 and led the Liberals to two more electoral victories in 2019 and 2021, now trails his main rival, Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre, by 20 points in public opinion polls.

(With inputs from AFP)

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News world Justin Trudeau Resigns As Canada PM & Party Leader, Reveals His 'One Regret'