UPDATE: Trudeau Resigns as PM

Monday, 6 January 2025 06:26

Justin Trudeau will leave after a new Liberal party leader is selected

UPDATE: It's official, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has announced his resignation plans.

During a press conference outside Rideau Cottage this morning, Trudeau announced that he will resign as Prime Minister and Liberal Party Leader, once the Liberals select a new party leader through a "robust, nationwide, competitive process."

He asked the President of the Liberal Party to start that process last night and he's excited to see that process unfold in the months ahead.

Trudeau told reporters that he's a fighter and he's fought for this country since 2015, but he knows stepping down is the right decision.

"This country deserves a real choice in the next election and it has become clear to me that if I am having to fight internal battles, I can not be the best option in that election."

Chrystia Freeland resigned as Finance Minister and as Trudeau's Deputy Prime Minister last month.

Prime Minister Trudeau also announced this morning that Parliament has been prorogued until March 24th.

"Despite best efforts to work through it, Parliament has been paralyzed for months after what has been the longest session of a minority Parliament in Canadian history. That's why 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."

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OTTAWA - A big announcement could be taking place in Ottawa today.

The Globe and Mail is reporting that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will step down as Liberal Party Leader, citing three anonymous sources that weren't authorized to address the matter publicly. They stated that the announcement will take place before the Liberal caucus meeting on Wednesday.

Several MPs have been calling for Trudeau to resign, as the governing Liberals trail far behind the Conservatives in the public opinion polls.

Once the alleged resignation takes place, it's not clear if Trudeau will stay on as Prime Minister or if an interim leader will be selected through a Liberal leadership race.