Ottawa, Canada:

Canadian politician Anita Anand, currently the Minister of Transport in Justin Trudeau’s government, is being considered as a candidate to replace him as Prime Minister. On Monday, Trudeau announced his resignation paving the way for a new leader.

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

Justin Trudeau resigned as Canada’s Prime Minister and Liberal Party leader on Monday. His departure came amid plummeting popularity, growing dissent within his party and a simultaneous surge in support for the Conservative Party.

Trudeau’s resignation marks the end of a nine-year tenure – a period marked by both achievements and challenges – as Canada’s leader. He now remains the caretaker prime minister until his successor is chosen, which must occur before October 20, 2025, when Canada is scheduled to hold national elections.

Justin Trudeau: Big family legacy

Justin Pierre James Trudeau was born on December 25, 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. Trudeau’s maternal grandfather, James Sinclair, was also a politician, serving as the Minister of Fisheries in the cabinet of Prime Minister Louis St. Laurent. James Sinclair was also a part of the Royal Canadian Air Force and served in the 417 Squadron during the Second World War.

Justin Trudeau: Entry to politics

Justin Trudeau was not initially set on a political path. He began his career in politics in 2007, running for the Liberal Party’s nomination in the riding of Papineau. He won the nomination and went on to win the seat in the 2008 federal election. He quickly rose through the ranks, becoming the Liberal Party’s critic for youth and multiculturalism in 2009, and later, critic for citizenship and immigration in 2010.

In 2013, Trudeau became the leader of the Liberal Party, and in 2015, he led the party to a majority government in the federal election. At 43, he became the second-youngest prime minister in Canadian history. During his tenure, Trudeau has implemented several significant policies such as the Canada Child Benefit, the legalisation of recreational marijuana, and the introduction of a federal carbon tax.

Justin Trudeau: Initiatives

• Climate Change: Trudeau has been a vocal advocate for climate action, and his government has implemented several measures to reduce Canada’s greenhouse gas emissions.
• Reconciliation with Indigenous peoples: Trudeau has made efforts to reconcile with Indigenous peoples, including the establishment of the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls inquiry.
• Diversity and Inclusion: Trudeau’s government has introduced several initiatives to promote diversity and inclusion, including the introduction of a non-binary gender option on Canadian passports.
• Legalising Cannabis: In 2018, Trudeau passed legislation to legalise cannabis, making Canada the second country in the world to do so on a national level.

Justin Trudeau: Controversies

• SNC-Lavalin Affair: Trudeau was accused of interfering in the prosecution of SNC-Lavalin, a Canadian engineering firm.
• Blackface Scandal: Trudeau faced backlash after photos emerged of him wearing blackface at a costume party in 2001.
• WE Charity Scandal: Trudeau’s government was criticised for awarding a contract to WE Charity, an organisation with ties to the Trudeau family.
• Aga Khan Row: In 2016, Trudeau and his family took a vacation on the Aga Khan’s private island in the Bahamas, a trip funded by the spiritual leader of the Ismaili Muslim community. An ethics investigation found him violating four sections of the Conflict of Interest Act.
• Freedom Convoy: In 2022, truckers protested against COVID-19 mandates, with broader anti-government grievances. Trudeau invoked the Emergencies Act, which was later revoked after protests were dispersed by police.

File picture of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump with Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau
| Photo Credit: Reuters

Hours after the resignation of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, U.S. President-elect Donald Trump on Monday (January 6, 2024) renewed his offer of making Canada the 51st state of the United States.

Mr. Trudeau, 53, announced his resignation Monday as his ruling Liberal Party forced him amidst his growing unpopularity. General elections are scheduled this year. The Canadian prime minister said that he would stay on as prime minister till the party elected a new leader.

Mr. Trump, 78, who never had a good relationship with Mr. Trudeau even during his first term from 2017-2021, has been floating the idea of making Canada the 51st state of the United States ever since he met Mr. Trudeau after his November 5 electoral victory in Mar-a-Lago. Thereafter, he has been mentioning this on his social media posts several times.

“Many people in Canada LOVE being the 51st State. 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,” Mr. Trump said on Truth Social.

“If Canada merged with the US, there would be no Tariffs, taxes would go way down, and they would be TOTALLY SECURE from the threat of the Russian and Chinese Ships that are constantly surrounding them. Together, what a great Nation it would be!!!” said the president-elect after the resignation of Mr. Trudeau on Monday.

There has not been much reaction to Mr. Trump’s proposal from the Canadian side.

Mr. Trump has threatened to impose 25% tariffs on Canadian imports if Toronto is not able top stop the flow of illicit drugs and illegal migrants from its southern border with the US.

In some of the posts, Mr. Trump even mocked Mr. Trudeau as “Governor of the Great State of Canada”.

Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. File.
| Photo Credit: Reuters

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Monday (January 6, 2025) announced his decision to step down as Liberal leader but he will stay on in his post until the party has chosen a replacement.

“I intend to resign as party leader, as Prime Minister,” Mr. Trudeau told reporters in Ottawa following a protracted political crisis that saw top Liberal allies urge him to quit.

Mr. Trudeau came to power in 2015 after 10 years of Conservative Party rule, and had initially been hailed for returning the country to its liberal past. But the 53-year-old scion of one of Canada’s most famous prime ministers became deeply unpopular with voters in recent years over a range of issues, including the soaring cost of food and housing, and surging immigration.

The political upheaval comes at a difficult moment for Canada internationally. U.S. President-elect Donald Trump has threatened to impose 25% tariffs on all Canadian goods if the government does not stem what Trump calls a flow of migrants and drugs in the U.S. — even though far fewer of each crosses into the U.S. from Canada than from Mexico, which Trump has also threatened.

Canada is a major exporter of oil and natural gas to the U.S., which also relies on its northern neighbor for steel, aluminum and autos.

Trudeau has kept publicly mum in recent weeks, despite intensifying pressure for him to step down.

“His long silence following this political drama speaks volumes about the weakness of his current position,” said Daniel Béland, a political science professor at McGill University in Montreal.

(With inputs from agencies)

Ottawa, Canada:

Justin Trudeau resigned today as the leader of his Liberal Party of Canada effectively ending his nine-year tenure as Canada’s Prime Minister too. The move comes amid rising dissent against him within his party. He held a press conference today outside his residence at Rideau Cottage in Ottawa.

“I have informed my party and the Governor that I intend to resign as leader of the party as well as prime minister of Canada, and will do so as soon as the my successor is appointed through a robust nationwide competitive process,” Mr Trudeau said.

Mr Trudeau, 53, went on to say that although he is a “fighter”, the parliament under his leadership is completely “paralysed”.

“I hereby prorogue the Parliament until March 24 in order to initiate the process of finding a new leader to lead the party and Canada until elections scheduled for later this year,” he added.

He further stated that “A new prime minister and leader of the party will carry its values and ideals into the next election, and I am excited to see that process unfold.”

According to Canada’s legislature, in such a case, the ruling party gets 90 days from the date of resignation of its leader to find a replacement.

Speaking about his regrets, Justin Tudeau said “If I have one regret… I do wish that we’d been able to change the way we elect our governments in this country”, adding that “Voters should be allowed to pick their second and third choices on the voting ballot itself, instead of the current system, which is set up to play to the advantage of those who want to polarise the situation and play Canadians against each other.”

A JAB AT THE OPPOSITION

In his resignation speech, Mr Trudeau didn’t miss an opportunity to target the leader of Canada’s opposition Conservative Party, Pierre Poilievre. “Stopping the fight against climate change does not make sense and backing off on the values and strengths on diversity is not the right path,” he said, adding that “Pierre Poilievre’s vision for Canada is not the right one.”

“We need an ambitious, optimistic view of the future and Pierre Poilievre is not offering that,” Mr Trudeau claimed.

WHAT WENT WRONG FOR TRUDEAU

Justin Trudeau has been facing immense pressure from his party colleagues as latest opinion polls show an overwhelming surge in support for the opposition Conservative Party. Canada will go to polls later this year and must have a new government in place before October 20.

Mr Trudeau is likely to continue as PM temporarily till a successor is chosen. This could take as little as a few days and may even extend to a few months. Canada’s internal politics as well as the country’s geopolitical standing has taken a severe and damaging blow under Mr Trudeau’s leadership.

A few months ago, Justin Trudeau lost the support of his key ally leading to a vote of no-confidence against the prime minister in Parliament. Somehow managing to garner the fragile support of other small parties to form a coalition, Mr Trudeau’s government survived, but the prime minister came under increased pressure after his finance minister quit in December over a policy clash.

The Canadian dollar, which had been on a downward spiral since September and was at a new-low, has appreciated since Trudeau decided to step down as leader of the Liberal party and in-turn the prime minister.

Canada’s economy, which is already facing problems like slowing growth, high inflation, a stagnant GDP, and crumbling trade policies, is now also facing an existential crisis with Donald Trump threatening massive tariffs.