Justin Trudeau resigns as Liberal Party leader and Prime Minister

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is stepping down as the Liberal Party leader.

“Last night, over dinner, I told my kids about the decision that I’m sharing with you today,” he said in a press conference in Ottawa on Monday morning. “I intend to resign as party leader and as prime minister, after the party selects its next leader through a robust, nationwide competitive process.”

Trudeau said Governor General Mary Simon has granted his request for the House of Commons to be prorogued until March 24.

He added that he’s asked the president of the Liberal Party to begin the process of selecting its next leader.

“This country deserves a real choice in the next election, and it has become clear to me that if I am having to fight internal battles, I cannot be the best option in that election,” said Trudeau.

This resignation follows days of speculation that Trudeau would step down before an important national caucus meeting on Wednesday, January 8.

Trudeau’s announcement is a culmination of events sparked by Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland’s shocking resignation from the prime minister’s cabinet on December 16.

In a statement shared on X, Freeland said Trudeau had told her he no longer wanted her to serve as his finance minister and offered another cabinet position.

“Upon reflection, I have concluded that the only honest and viable path is for me to resign from the cabinet,” she stated.

It came hours before the federal government was expected to announce its fall economic statement.

During Monday’s press conference, Trudeau was asked what happened between him and Freeland, but he refused to get into specifics.

“I am not someone who’s in the habit of sharing private conversations,” said the Prime Minister. “Chrystia has been by my side for close to 10 years now… I had really hoped that she would agree to continue as my Deputy Prime Minister and take on one of the most important files that not just this government, but this country is facing, but she chose otherwise,” he added.

He made the announcement outside of Rideau Cottage, where he has lived for years since becoming prime minister.