Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced his resignation on Monday after nine years in power, citing pressure from lawmakers and declining support for his Liberal Party in recent pre-election polls.
Speaking outside his residence at Rideau Cottage, Trudeau declared he would remain as both prime minister and Liberal leader until the party selects a new chief within the coming months. Additionally, he announced that parliament would be prorogued until March 24.
\"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 stated.
With an election unlikely before May, Trudeau will continue to lead amidst concerns over potential crippling tariffs once U.S. President-elect Donald Trump assumes office on January 20.
The next election must occur by October 20. Polls indicate that voters dissatisfied with high prices and a shortage of affordable housing are likely to support the opposition Conservatives, anticipating a significant defeat for the Liberals regardless of new leadership.
In recent weeks, discontent within the Liberal Party has intensified, with some lawmakers openly urging Trudeau to step down following the resignation of his finance minister and accusations of political maneuvering to regain voter support.
\"I am not someone who backs away from a fight, particularly when a fight is as important as this one is,\" Trudeau told reporters. \"But I have always been driven by my love for Canada … and it has become obvious to me with the internal battles that I cannot be the one to carry the Liberal standard into the next election.\"
At 53, Trudeau has been one of Canada's longest-serving prime ministers since taking office in November 2015. However, his popularity has waned over the past two years as post-COVID economic challenges, including rising grocery and housing prices, have eroded his support.
An Ipsos Canada poll released on December 22 revealed that the Conservatives hold 45 percent support among decided voters, while the Liberals and the left-leaning New Democrats each have 20 percent. Such poll results suggest a decisive Conservative victory in the upcoming election.
Trump responded to Trudeau's resignation by reiterating his earlier comments that Canada could benefit from becoming the 51st U.S. state and expressing dissatisfaction with Canada's trade surplus. \"The United States can no longer suffer the massive Trade Deficits and Subsidies that Canada needs to stay afloat. Justin Trudeau knew this, and resigned,\" Trump stated on Truth Social.
The ongoing tariff dispute between the U.S. and Canada continues to dominate headlines. Trump had previously threatened a 25 percent tariff on all Canadian products and suggested that Canada might become an exemption by joining the United States as a state.
During a meeting at Mar-a-Lago last November, Trump urged Trudeau to integrate Canada into the U.S., and in a December 8 interview with NBC, he reiterated that addressing the trade deficit might involve making Canada a U.S. state.
Liberal internal strife and the looming threat of U.S. tariffs have raised alarms among business groups and provincial premiers. They urge Ottawa to prioritize handling potential tariffs from the Trump administration to safeguard Canada's economic stability.
\"Canada needs to demonstrate stability and strength at this critical moment, and the federal government must urgently explain to Canadians how they will avoid tariffs that could have devastating effects,\" stated Doug Ford, premier of Ontario, the country's most populous province.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
