Trudeau met with Gov. Gen. Mary Simon that morning and asked for the prorogation of Parliament until March 24, which was granted. Since Trudeau had come into power in 2015, his tenure was the longest session of a minority Parliament in Canadian history.
“This country deserves a 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,” said Trudeau.
His decision came over the holidays, as he said it was a time for him to reflect. Trudeau said he told his children over dinner about his decision to resign on Sunday night.
This is the first time Trudeau has spoken publicly at length since the Liberal Party had been in turmoil from internal disagreements including the unexpected resignation of his finance minister Chrystia Freeland. She stepped down hours before she was expected to deliver the fall economic statement on Dec. 16.
Trudeau was pressured by public opinion polling, roughly 24 MPs and several regional caucuses called for his resignation prior to the holidays.
He was nearing the end of his third term as Prime Minister, where a federal election was slated to occur this fall. Trudeau assumed the role in 2015 after defeating then-incumbent Stephen Harper of the Conservative Party. The former was reelected as Prime Minister in 2019 and 2021.
“The Liberal Party of Canada is an important institution in the history of our great country and democracy,” said Trudeau. “A new Prime Minister and leader of the Liberal Party will carry its values and ideals into that next election. I’m excited to see the process unfold in the months ahead.”
