Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is stepping down as Liberal leader, and is proroguing Parliament as the Liberal Party of Canada embarks on the journey to replace him.
In an historic announcement outside his official Rideau Cottage residence, Trudeau declared his intention to stay on as prime minister until a new leader is chosen.
Citing the inability to overcome "internal battles," Trudeau said that he intends to resign as both Liberal leader, and prime minister, once his party "selects its next leader through a robust, nationwide, competitive process."
The prime minister said he asked the president of the Liberal party to begin that work, now.
"Last night over dinner, I told my kids about the decision I'm sharing with you today," he 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."
Trudeau also met with Gov. Gen. Mary Simon this morning where he asked for, and was granted the prorogation of Parliament, until March 24. This brings an end to the longest session of a minority Parliament in Canadian history.
"As you all know, I'm a fighter. Every bone in my body has always told me to fight… I care deeply about this country," Trudeau said. He went on to say that he hopes removing himself "from the equation" will tamp down the level of polarization in the current federal political conversation.
"I truly feel that removing the contention around my own continued leadership is an opportunity to bring the temperature down, have a government that will focus on the complex issues that are coming forward in the coming months," Trudeau said
"While the party gets to have a full national process that brings in people from right across the country, and makes a determination about the best person to carry the progressive Liberal standard into the next election."
Live updates as Justin Trudeau resigns as Liberal Leader(opens in a new tab)
Speaking publicly for the first time since his embattled Liberal minority government became embroiled in turmoil following the bombshell resignation of his deputy Chrystia Freeland in mid-December, Trudeau only took a handful of reporters' questions.
Trudeau said that while he is not one to back away from a fight, "particularly when a fight is as important as this one is," he has "always been driven by my love for Canada, by my desire to serve Canadians, and by what is in the best interests of Canadians."
Speaking briefly about his legacy, Trudeau said looking back, he's proud of his work to "fight for the middle class," and increasing benefits for families that have helped drop poverty rates. He also cited his work on Indigenous reconciliation.
As for his regrets, he said there are "probably many," but referred to his decision to abandon his electoral reform pledge as a central one.
"I do wish that we'd been able to change the way we elect our governments in this country," he said.
Resignation comes with parliamentary pause
Trudeau requesting prorogation to give his party time to run an expedited leadership race without facing the prospect of falling on a confidence vote, will also bring an end to the procedural filibuster that's stalled nearly all parliamentary business for months.
"Despite best efforts to work through it, Parliament has been paralyzed for months," Trudeau said Monday. "It's time for a reset. It's time for the temperature to come down."
The House of Commons was scheduled to resume on Jan. 27, at which point the Conservatives were angling to advance a non-confidence motion within days, as the NDP indicated last month they were ready to vote to bring down the Liberal minority in the new year.
Prorogation has effectively killed all legislative business that hasn't passed, leaving measures promised in Trudeau's ill-fated fall economic statement in limbo, as well as the Liberals' long-languishing pledge to crack down on harmful online content.
Asking for the House of Commons to be halted until late March comes after Trudeau's advisers received legal guidance indicating that was the longest the government could go without approving spending.
The next session would begin with a Speech from the Throne, setting the stage for potentially a series of key confidence votes. If the Liberals fall on any one of them, it could be the first step in an early federal election being triggered.
"This prorogation will take us only into March, and there will be confidence votes in March, in the passing of supply, that will allow Parliament to weigh in on confidence in a way that is entirely in keeping with all the principles of democracy and the workings of our strong institutions," Trudeau said.
Trudeau's desire to steer the government through the next two months comes as Canada braces for the start of U.S. president-elect Donald Trump's second term.
PM met with top staffers amid caucus pressure
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Canada Press 1/6/2025 |
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