Trudeau Announces Resignation as Party Leader and Prime Minister

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has announced his resignation as both the leader of the Liberal Party and as prime minister. Trudeau stated he would remain in office until a new leader is chosen, and that Parliament will be suspended until March 24.

It is noteworthy that Trudeau’s decision comes ahead of the Liberal National Caucus meeting scheduled for Wednesday, during which there had been growing pressure on him to step down. To prevent the government from being toppled by opposition parties, the Governor General has approved the suspension of Parliament until March 24.

PM Trudeau confirmed that he met with Governor General Mary Simon earlier this morning. Following the sudden resignation of former Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland on December 16, Liberal Party MPs from Ontario, Atlantic Canada, Quebec, and British Columbia had been urging Trudeau to resign.