Justin Trudeau is reportedly expected to step down as Liberal Party leader due to policy disputes
FILE PHOTO: Prime Minister of Canada Justin Trudeau. © Kent Nishimura/Getty Images Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is likely to resign this week, Reuters reported on Sunday, citing sources. The anticipated move comes amid increasing pressure from within his ruling Liberal Party and policy disagreements with cabinet members. Trudeau has not yet made a final decision, a source told the agency. According to the Canadian outlet, it remains unclear whether Trudeau would leave his post immediately or stay on as prime minister until a new party leader is selected.
Read more The Liberal Party is expected to convene this week to discuss the transition, it added. Trudeau’s potential resignation raises questions about the Liberal Party’s leadership ahead of the federal election, which is required to take place by late October. Trudeau came to power in 2015 and led the Liberals to two further victories in 2019 and 2021. During his first two terms as prime minister, Trudeau ushered in Senate reforms, signed a new trade deal with the United States, and introduced a carbon tax to reduce Canada’s greenhouse gas emissions. He also legalized cannabis, held a public inquiry into missing and murdered indigenous women, and passed legislation permitting medically assisted suicide. Recent polls indicate that the Liberals are trailing behind the Conservatives, led by Pierre Poilievre. With inflation rising and his government’s policies under fire, opposition leaders and some Liberal MPs have urged him not to seek a fourth term. His anticipated resignation follows a series of challenges to Trudeau’s leadership. In December, Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland stepped down following disputes over the government’s fiscal strategy in response to planned US tariffs. READ MORE: Ukrainian Nazi-grandad scandal Canadian finance minister quits President-elect Donald Trump announced a 25% tariff on all Canadian imports in November, sparking economic and political tension. Trudeau traveled to Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate that month to avert a potential trade war, but his efforts appeared to backfire. READ MORE: Trump mocks opponents and foreign states in Christmas message Following the meeting, Trump took to social media to mock Trudeau, repeatedly referring to him as the “governor” of Canada and suggesting that the country becoming the 51st state of the US would be a “great idea.”
The Globe and Mail reported earlier that Trudeau was expected to announce as early as Monday that he would quit as leader of the Liberal Party after nine years in office.
