Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced on Monday that he will resign in the coming months after nine years at the helm, succumbing to mounting pressure from within his Liberal Party following poor performances in pre-election polls.
Standing outside his residence at Rideau Cottage, Trudeau, 53, declared his intention to remain as prime minister and Liberal leader until the party selects a new leader in the coming months. He also revealed that parliament would be prorogued until March 24, effectively suspending legislative activities.
“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, expressing his commitment to Canada’s future despite the challenges.
The decision suggests that a federal election is unlikely before May, allowing Trudeau to continue addressing critical issues such as the looming threat of tariffs from the incoming U.S. administration under President-elect Donald Trump, set to take office on January 20.
Facing dwindling public support due to rising living costs and a housing shortage, Trudeau’s Liberals have trailed significantly in recent polls. An Ipsos Canada poll released on December 22 indicated that the opposition Conservatives held 45% support among decided voters, with both the Liberals and the New Democrats at 20%, signaling a potential landslide victory for the Conservatives.
Internal discord within the Liberal Party intensified after the resignation of the finance minister, who accused Trudeau of resorting to “political gimmicks” in an attempt to regain voter confidence. Several Liberal lawmakers openly urged Trudeau to step down, emphasizing the need for unity and fresh leadership.
“I am not someone who backs away from a fight, particularly when a fight is as important as this one is,” Trudeau remarked. “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.”
Meanwhile, former U.S. President Donald Trump reacted to Trudeau’s announcement by reiterating his contentious stance on U.S.-Canada trade relations. Trump suggested that Canada would benefit from becoming the 51st state of the United States and criticized 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 commented on his platform, Truth Social.
The prospect of significant U.S. tariffs has raised alarms among Canadian business groups and provincial leaders. Doug Ford, the premier of Ontario, Canada’s most populous province, called for immediate action to address the potential economic fallout.
“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,” Ford urged.
The ripple effects of Trudeau’s resignation are poised to extend beyond Canada, potentially impacting global trade relations, including those with Asian markets. The anticipated U.S. tariffs could disrupt trade dynamics, prompting Canadian businesses to seek alternative partnerships and markets in Asia to mitigate economic challenges.
As the Liberal Party prepares to select a new leader, the nation watches closely, aware that the decisions made in the coming months will shape Canada’s economic and political landscape amid global uncertainties.
(With input from Reuters)
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
