Watch: Profile | Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau

Watch: Profile | Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau

Justin Trudeau resigned as Canada’s Prime Minister and Liberal Party leader on January 6th, 2025. His announcement came amid rising discontent over his leadership and after the abrupt departure of his finance minister, Chrystia Freeland.

Trudeau’s resignation marks the end of a nine-year tenure as Canada’s leader – a period marked by both achievements and challenges.

Justin Pierre James Trudeau was born on December 25th 1971, in Ottawa, into one of Canada’s most prominent political families. His father, Pierre Trudeau, served as Canada’s 15th Prime Minister from 1968 to 1979 and then again from 1980 to 1984. His mother, Margaret Trudeau, a socialite and mental health advocate, brought her own public attention to the family.

Starting his career as a high school teacher, Trudeau was elected to Parliament at the age of 36. In 2013, Trudeau became the leader of the Liberal Party, and in 2015, he came to power ending 10 years of Conservative Party rule. At 43, he became the second-youngest prime minister in Canadian history.

Over nearly a decade in power, Trudeau embraced an array of causes favoured by his liberal base. He spoke in favour of immigration at a time other countries were trying to tighten their borders. He championed diversity and gender equality, appointing a Cabinet that was equal parts men and women. His government legalized cannabis in 2018. Fewer people died from COVID-19 in Canada than elsewhere and his government provided massive financial support.

But in recent years, he became unpopular with voters over a range of issues, including the soaring cost of food and housing, and surging immigration. The issue blew up when Canada’s former Finance Minister, Chrystia Freeland, announced her resignation from Trudeau’s Cabinet on December 16th, criticizing some of Trudeau’s economic priorities in the face of US President elect Donald Trump’s threats. The move, which came shortly after the housing minister quit, stunned the country and raised questions about how much longer the increasingly unpopular Trudeau could stay in his job.

In foreign affairs, Trudeau’s relations with India in particular nose dived in recent times over the Khalistan issue. Trudeau has alleged that Indian intelligence agencies were linked to the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Khalistani separatist and Canadian citizen, even as the Indian government raised its concerns that Trudeau’s government was providing a safe haven to Khalistani extremists.

Trudeau now remains the caretaker prime minister until his successor is chosen, which must occur before October 20th 2025, when Canada is scheduled to hold national elections.

Visuals: AFP, The Hindu Archives

Production and Voiceover: Yuvasree S