Justin Trudeau resigns as Canada's prime minister: 'Canadians deserve a real choice'
Justin Trudeau is stepping down as Canada's prime minister and leader of the Liberal Party.
"This country deserves a real choice in the next election," Trudeau said, revealing that he's not the best option.
On January 6, 2025, Trudeau announced his resignation outside of Rideau Cottage — which is where he has lived during his terms as prime minister.
"I intend to resign as party leader, as prime minister, after the party selects its next leader through a robust nationwide competitive process," he said.
Trudeau has already asked the president of the Liberal Party to begin the process of selecting a new leader.
"Despite best efforts to work through it, parliament has been paralyzed for months," Trudeau said.
"This country deserves a real choice in the next election, and it has become clear to me that if I'm having to fight internal battles, I cannot be the best option in that election," he continued.
During Trudeau's resignation announcement, he also said that he "will always be motivated by what's in the best interest of Canadians."
Trudeau has received approval from the governor general to prorogue parliament until March 24.
That means the parliamentary session will end.
He revealed that when MPs return to the House of Commons in March, there will be confidence votes.
Trudeau also shared that this has been the longest session of a minority parliament in Canadian history.
Trudeau's stepping down as prime minister comes after NDP leader Jagmeet Singh called his resignation in December.
Singh said Trudeau and the Liberals have been "fighting themselves instead of fighting for Canadians" and so the prime minister "has to go."
Chrystia Freeland, who served as deputy prime minister and minister of finance in Trudeau's government, resigned in December when Trudeau asked her to step down as finance minister.
"For the past number of weeks, you and I have found ourselves at odds about the best path forward for Canada," Freeland said in a letter to Trudeau that was posted to X.
"To be effective, a Minister must speak on behalf of the Prime Minister and with his full confidence," she continued. "You made clear that I no longer credibly enjoy that confidence."
Earlier in 2024, Trudeau revealed that he considered resigning when he was "facing some difficult moments" in his marriage during the previous year but decided against it.
This article's cover image was used for illustrative purposes only.
