Justin Trudeau Likely to Resign as Liberal Party Leader Amid Rising Internal Discontent

Ottawa: Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is reportedly preparing to resign as the leader of the Liberal Party amid growing discontent within his caucus, according to The Globe and Mail, citing anonymous sources. While the timing of the announcement remains uncertain, sources speculate that Trudeau may step down before the national caucus meeting scheduled for Wednesday to avoid the perception that he has been forced out by his own MPs.

A source who recently spoke to Trudeau indicated that he understands the importance of addressing the matter prior to the caucus meeting to maintain a semblance of control over the situation. However, there is no clarity on whether he would immediately relinquish his role as prime minister or stay on until a successor is chosen. The Liberal Party’s national executive, which is responsible for managing leadership transitions, is expected to convene this week, possibly following the caucus session.

The Liberal caucus meeting on Wednesday comes amid increasing calls from MPs for Trudeau to step down. According to Radio Canada, MPs are set to return to Ottawa on January 27, and all three main opposition parties have expressed intentions to bring down the government at the earliest opportunity.

Canada has faced significant political turmoil in recent months. On December 16, former Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland resigned from the Cabinet just hours before a scheduled statement on the Canadian economy. In her resignation letter to Trudeau, Freeland wrote:

“It has been the honor of my life to serve in government while working for Canada and its people. We have achieved much together. However, on Friday, you informed me that you no longer wish to retain me as finance minister and offered me another position in the Cabinet. After consideration, I have concluded that resigning is the only honest and viable course of action. To be effective, a minister must have the full confidence of the Prime Minister.”

Freeland also referenced ongoing disagreements with Trudeau on the best path forward for Canada. Her resignation sparked calls from opposition leaders for Trudeau to resign. Notably, NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh urged Trudeau to step down and stated that “all options” remain on the table, including supporting a no-confidence motion against the government.

Trudeau’s potential resignation would mark the end of his nearly eight-year tenure as prime minister and a pivotal moment for the Liberal Party, which now faces an uncertain future amid growing political challenges.