OTTAWA — Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced Monday morning that he will step down as Liberal leader and prime minister, launching a Liberal leadership race that will determine his successor, and he has put Canada’s Parliament on pause while the party process unfolds.
Justin Trudeau resigns as prime minister
Trudeau, who had been facing an internal party revolt over his leadership, said Governor General Mary Simon has granted his request to prorogue Parliament until March 24, which will put the House of Commons on hold while the Liberals select a new leader to steer the party into the next federal election.
“I intend to resign as party leader, as prime minister after the party selects its next leader through a robust, nationwide competitive process,” said Trudeau.
“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.”
Trudeau said he has already asked Liberal Party president Sachit Mehra to begin the process of replacing him as leader and said he is “excited to see the process unfold in the months ahead.”
Rumoured leadership contender Mark Carney and Freeland reacted to the news by thanking Trudeau for his years of service and by wishing the best for his future endeavours.
Trudeau has faced calls to resign from multiple quarters in recent weeks with his caucus in upheaval after the resignation from cabinet of former finance minister Chrystia Freeland on Dec. 16, including calls from almost every Liberal regional caucus for him to step down. Trudeau said he made his decision after spending two weeks over the holidays reflecting on his future.
“As you all know, I am a fighter and I am not someone who backs away from a fight, particularly when a fight is as important as this one is,” he said. “But I have always been driven by my love for Canada, by my desire to serve Canadians, and by what is in the best interest of Canadians, and Canadians deserve a real choice in the next election.”