Mr Trudaeu has been prime minister for nine years, but has been under internal party pressure to resign.
Speaking to the media today, Mr Trudeau said, “This morning I advised the Governor-General that we need a new session of Parliament. She has granted this request and the House will now be prorogued until March 24th… I intend to resign as party leader, as Prime Minister, after the party selects its next leader through a robust nationwide competitive process.”
Mr Trudaeu has has been under internal party pressure to resign.
In June, Liberals suffered a stunning loss to Conservatives in the Toronto-St Paul’s by-election – a seat the Liberals had held for 30 years.
The loss was seen by some as a referendum on Justin Trudeau.
In December, Chrystia Freeland, his Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister, suddenly resigned…
“…despite best efforts to work through it, Parliament has been paralyzed for months”, Mr Trudeau said today.
“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.”
Mr Trudaeu and the Liberal Party won Government in 2015.
They held on to power in 2019 and in a 2021 snap election, but failed to secure a parliamentary majority, meaning Mr Trudeau needed support from smaller parties to advance his agenda.
Issues such as post-pandemic inflation, unemployment, cost-of-living and immigration have dulled the veneer of the once-popular politician.
December polls showed that nearly three-quarters of Canadians disapprove of his leadership.
Canada’s next federal election must be held by October, but other parliamentary parties, including the Conservatives led by Pierre Poilievre, may force an election earlier through a vote of no confidence.
