Justin Trudeau has announced his resignation as Liberal Party leader. He will remain as Canadian prime minister until the party has chosen a successor.
It’s the end of a nine-year stint in office, as pressure grew from within his Liberal Party which is trailing significantly behind the opposition Conservatives in the polls.
Trudeau made the announcement from his Rideau Cottage residence.
“I intend to resign as party leader, as prime minister after the party selects its next leader through a robust, nationwide, competitive process,” Trudeau said Monday. “This country deserves a real choice in the next election, and it has become clear to me that if I am having to fight internal battles, I cannot be the best option in that election.”
A row broke out inside Trudeau’s party after U.S. President-elect Donald Trump announced a proposal to introduce 25 percent tariffs on the country.
Trump pressed on with his taunts referring to Canada as the 51st state following the announcement.
“Many people in Canada LOVE being the 51st State,” he wrote on Truth Social.
Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland unexpectedly stepped down in mid-December, citing differences with Trudeau on how to approach Trump’s presidency and tariff proposals.
Canada is due to hold a general election on or before 20 October.
Key Points
- Justin Trudeau’s political career in dates
- Trudeau’s popularity collapse laid bare by poll tracker
- What is the Trump-Trudeau tariff row all about?
- What happens now that Justin Trudeau has resigned?
Trudeau says government will be ‘singularly focused on’ economy as Trump tariff threat looms
06:00
Gustaf Kilander
During his press conference Monday, as he announced his resignation, Justin Trudeau was asked by a reporter, “How can the Liberal government be in a position to protect Canadian businesses and Canadians from the threat of tariffs from incoming President Donald Trump when members of the government are going to be focused on who’s going to be taking your job?”
“The government will still and the Cabinet will still be very much focused on doing the job the Canadians elected us to do in 2021, which is fight for their interests, stand up for their wellbeing, and make sure that they are good and that Canadians are protected and strong,” he said.
“There will be a leadership process and the rules will unfold over the coming weeks, but I can assure you that the tools and the need to stand up for Canadians to protect Canadians in their interests and continue to fight for the economy is something that everyone in this government will be singularly focused on,” he added.
WATCH: Justin Trudeau resigns as Canadian prime minister
05:00
Gustaf Kilander
Trudeau calls Chrystia Freeland ‘an incredible political partner'
04:00
Gustaf Kilander
Justin Trudeau commented on the departure of Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland last month.
“She has been an incredible political partner through just about everything we have done as a government and as a party over the past decade,” he said Monday. “I had really hoped that she would agree to continue as my deputy prime minister and take on one of the most important files that not just this government but this country is facing, but she chose otherwise.”
“In regards to what actually happened, I am not someone who’s in the habit of sharing private conversations,” he added.
What happens now that Justin Trudeau has resigned?
03:00
Ariana Baio
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is stepping down as leader of the Liberal Party after serving as prime minister for nearly a decade – a move that requires the party to choose a new leader.
Facing mounting pressure to resign from members of his own party, Trudeau announced on Monday he will step down from his post which he was first elected to in 2015.
“I intend to resign as party leader, as prime minister after the party selects its next leader through a robust nationwide, competitive process,” Trudeau said on Monday.
Now, the Liberal Party will decide on its next leader by holding a contest to decide who will succeed Trudeau. Until they do so, Trudeau will remain prime minister.
Read more:
Trudeau announces resignation speech at Rideau Cottage
02:00
Gustaf Kilander
Justin Trudeau announced his resignation Monday.
“Last night, over dinner, I told my kids about the decision that I sharing with you today,” he said.
“I intend to resign as party leader, as prime minister after the party selects its next leader through a robust, nationwide, competitive process,” he added. “Last night, I asked the president of the Liberal Party to begin that process. This country deserves a real choice in the next election, and it has become clear to me that if I am having to fight internal battles, I cannot be the best option in that election.”
Trudeau: ‘I’ve fought for this country'
01:00
Gustaf Kilander
Justin Trudeau took to the podium Monday, saying “Every morning I’ve woken up as prime minister, I’ve been inspired by the resilience, the generosity and the determination of Canadians.”
He added: “It is the driving force of every single day I have the privilege of serving in this office, that is why, since 2015 I’ve fought for this country, for you, to strengthen and grow the middle class, why we rallied to support each other through the pandemic, to advance reconciliation, to defend free trade on this continent, to stand strong with Ukraine and our democracy and to fight climate change and get our economy ready for the future.”
“We are at a critical moment in the world,” he argued.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau stepping down as party leader after nearly 10 years in office
00:15
Rachel Clun, Rhian Lubin Monday
Justin Trudeau said Monday that he will step down as prime minister of Canada, after weeks of mounting pressure from within his ruling Liberal Party about how to deal with incoming U.S. President Donald Trump and trade tariffs he has promised.
Speaking outside his residence at Rideau Cottage, Trudeau said he had taken time over the holidays to “reflect” with his family.
“Throughout the course of my career, any success I have personally achieved has been because of their support and with their encouragement,” Trudeau said.
“So last night over dinner, I told my kids about the decision that I’m sharing with you today. I intend to resign as party leader as prime minister after the party selects its next leader through a robust, nationwide, competitive process.”
Read more:
Justin Trudeau: Photo collection
Monday 6 January 2025 23:30
Gustaf Kilander
Justin Trudeau’s resignation speech blows away seconds before announcement
Monday 6 January 2025 22:45
Caspar Barnes
Canada’s Prime Minister was forced to resign off the cuff after his notes blew away seconds before his planned resignation announcement on Monday.
“I’ll wing it,” Justin Trudeau said, as he watched his notes fly from the lectern standing outside his residence in Ottawa.
Trudeau announced he would be stepping down as prime minister, and leader of Canada’s Liberal Party, after nearly ten years in power.
A row had broken out inside Trudeau’s party after US President-elect Donald Trump announced a proposal to introduce 25 percent tariffs on Canada.
Why Justin Trudeau resigned after nine years as Canadian Prime Minister
Monday 6 January 2025 22:00
Ariana Baio
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau resigned as leader of the Liberal Party on Monday, after facing immense pressure to step down from members of his own party since his deputy prime minister resigned over concerns about Donald Trump’s tariffs.
Facing low approval ratings in part due to the cost of living crisis, signs were mounting that Canadians had lost faith in the Liberal Party, which Trudeau has led as prime minister since 2015.
But internal confidence plummeted in mid-December, when Chrystia Freeland, the deputy prime minister and head of finance, unexpectedly resigned citing disagreements over the handling of Trump’s proposed 25 percent tariffs on the country – an issue that could damage the economy.
Read more:
Possible successors: Dominic LeBlanc
Monday 6 January 2025 21:30
Gustaf Kilander
The minister of finance and intergovernmental affairs is one of Trudeau’s closest allies. During times of disorder, he has been entrusted with politically difficult responsibilities.
Having been in parliament for more than 20 years, he previously ran to be the leader of the Liberal Party in 2008, but at the time, Michael Ignatieff came out victorious.
Trudeau takes subtle dig at former deputy prime minister whose shock resignation foretold his downfall
Monday 6 January 2025 21:00
Rhian Lubin
As he announced Monday that he would be stepping down as his party’s leader, outgoing Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau made a subtle dig at his former deputy prime minister whose shocking resignation foretold his downfall.
Former deputy prime minister and minister of finance Chrystia Freeland threw Trudeau’s government into chaos when she abruptly resigned from the cabinet last month, just hours before she was due to deliver the country’s first economic update since the U.S. election.
And now, a mere few weeks later, Trudeau followed with his resignation citing “internal battles” within his Liberal Party.
Freeland, a long-time ally of Trudeau, said in her resignation letter that she and the prime minister had been at odds over the best path forward for the country, and that the 25 percent tariffs threatened by President-elect Donald Trump posed a “grave challenge” for the economy.
Read more:
Possible successors: Melanie Joly
Monday 6 January 2025 20:30
Gustaf Kilander
The minister of foreign affairs is from Quebec and represents a district in Montreal, much like Justin Trudeau.
A lawyer educated at Oxford, she has held her post since 2021. She initially joined parliament in 2015 after being urged by Trudeau to run for federal office.
WATCH: Justin Trudeau announces intention to resign
Monday 6 January 2025 20:00
Gustaf Kilander
Justin Trudeau announces his intention to resign as prime minister pic.twitter.com/VMv2qEMF2Y
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) January 6, 2025
Trump pushes for Canada to join US after Trudeau resignation announcement
Monday 6 January 2025 19:45
Gustaf Kilander
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.
If Canada merged with the U.S., 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!!!
Possible successors: Mark Carney
Monday 6 January 2025 19:30
Gustaf Kilander
The former head of both the Bank of Canada and the Bank of England is a Liberal who has been serving as an adviser to Trudeau for the last several months.
He has been after the leadership post for quite some time, according to the BBC.
Chrystia Freeland shares well wishes following Trudeau resignation
Monday 6 January 2025 19:00
Gustaf Kilander
I thank Justin Trudeau for his years of service to Canada and Canadians. I wish him and his family the very best.
— Chrystia Freeland (@cafreeland) January 6, 2025
Possible successors: Chrystia Freeland
Monday 6 January 2025 18:30
Gustaf Kilander
The former journalist and Toronto MP has long been seen as a possible successor to Justin Trudeau.
Originally from Alberta, Freeland became the country’s first woman finance minister before resigning in December over a disagreement between her and Trudeau on spending on how to react to the threat of tariffs from President-elect Donald Trump.
Trudeau goes after leader of Canadian Conservatives
Monday 6 January 2025 18:00
Gustaf Kilander
Justin Trudeau bashed Pierre Poilievre, the leader of the Canadian Conservatives, arguing that his vision is “not the right one for Canadians.”
The outgoing prime minister said it doesn’t “make sense” to stop fighting climate change.
“We need an ambitious, optimistic view of the future,” he said.
“Pierre Poilievre is not offering that,” he added.
Justin Trudeau’s fall from grace shows politics is an ugly game in every way
Monday 6 January 2025 17:30
Guy Walters
When Justin Trudeau became the Canadian prime minister in 2015, people were still using that thing called Facebook. I can remember well the frothing posts by female friends, none of whom could contain their excitement at the election of this hottie PM. Furthermore, they gushed at the notion that what made him hotter still was not only that he was young and handsome, he was a lovely liberal dude too, which made him even more super-duper guy.
(If my male friends had written about an equally attractive female prime minister in such a way, they might well have been cancelled, but let’s park that.) As far as my friends were concerned – and to be fair, Trudeau had plenty of male fanboys – here was the perfect Generation X politician, and all would surely be well in his good hands.
Read more:
Why Justin Trudeau resigned after nine years as Canadian Prime Minister
Monday 6 January 2025 17:00
Ariana Baio
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is under immense pressure to resign with more members of his own party reportedly joining the effort to force Trudeau out after his deputy prime minister resigned and concerns about Donald Trump’s tariffs increase.
Signs are mounting that members of the Liberal Party, which Trudeau has led since 2013, are losing confidence in the prime minister.
In mid-December, Chrystina Freeland, the deputy prime minister and head of finance, unexpectedly resigned citing disagreements over the handling of Trump’s proposed 25 percent tariffs on the country – an issue that could damage the economy.
Read more:
Trudeau says government will be ‘singularly focused on’ economy as Trump tariff threat looms
Monday 6 January 2025 16:39
Gustaf Kilander
The press conference with outgoing Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has ended.
He was asked, “How can the Liberal government be in a position to protect Canadian businesses and Canadians from the threat of tariffs from incoming President Donald Trump when members of the government are going to be focused on who’s going to be taking your job?”
“The government will still and the Cabinet will still be very much focused on doing the job the Canadians elected us to do in 2021, which is fight for their interests, stand up for their wellbeing, and make sure that they are good and that Canadians are protected and strong,” he said.
“There will be a leadership process and the rules will unfold over the coming weeks, but I can assure you that the tools and the need to stand up for Canadians to protect Canadians in their interests and continue to fight for the economy is something that everyone in this government will be singularly focused on,” he added.
WATCH: Justin Trudeau resigns as Canadian prime minister
Monday 6 January 2025 16:25
Gustaf Kilander
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau stepping down as party leader after nearly 10 years in office
Monday 6 January 2025 16:23
Rachel Clun
Justin Trudeau said Monday that he will step down as prime minister of Canada after weeks of mounting pressure from within his ruling Liberal Party about how to deal with incoming U.S. President Donald Trump and trade tariffs he has promised.
Speaking outside his residence at Rideau Cottage, Trudeau said he had taken time over the holidays to “reflect” with his family.
“Throughout the course of my career, any success I have personally achieved has been because of their support and with their encouragement,” Trudeau said.
“So last night, over dinner, I told my kids about the decision that I’m sharing with you today. I intend to resign as party leader as prime minister after the party selects its next leader through a robust, nationwide, competitive process.”
Read more:
Trudeau calls Chrystia Freeland ‘an incredible political partner'
Monday 6 January 2025 16:18
Gustaf Kilander
Justin Trudeau commented on the departure of Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland last month.
“She has been an incredible political partner through just about everything we have done as a government and as a party over the past decade,” he said Monday. “I had really hoped that she would agree to continue as my deputy prime minister and take on one of the most important files that not just this government but this country is facing, but she chose otherwise.”
“In regards to what actually happened, I am not someone who's in the habit of sharing private conversations,” he added.
What happens now that Justin Trudeau has resigned?
Monday 6 January 2025 16:14
Ariana Baio
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is stepping down as leader of the Liberal Party after serving as prime minister for nearly a decade – a move that requires the party to choose a new leader.
Facing mounting pressure to resign from members of his own party, Trudeau announced on Monday he will step down from his post which he was first elected to in 2015.
“I intend to resign as party leader, as prime minister after the party selects its next leader through a robust nationwide, competitive process,” Trudeau said on Monday.
Now, the Liberal Party will decide on its next leader by holding a contest to decide who will succeed Trudeau. Until they do so, Trudeau will remain prime minister.
Read more:
‘I am not someone who backs away from a fight'
Monday 6 January 2025 16:11
Gustaf Kilander
Justin Trudeau said, “As you all know, I am a fighter, and I am not someone who backs away from a fight, particularly when a fight is as important as this one is.”
“But I have always been driven by my love for Canada, by my desire to serve Canadians and by what is in the best interests of Canadians, and Canadians deserve a real choice in the next election, 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,” the outgoing prime minister argued.
Trudeau announces resignation
Monday 6 January 2025 16:08
Gustaf Kilander
Justin Trudeau has announced his resignation.
“Last night, over dinner, I told my kids about the decision that I sharing with you today,” he said Monday.
“I intend to resign as party leader, as prime minister after the party selects its next leader through a robust, nationwide, competitive process,” he added. “Last night, I asked the president of the Liberal Party to begin that process. This country deserves a real choice in the next election, and it has become clear to me that if I am having to fight internal battles, I cannot be the best option in that election.”
Trudeau: ‘I’ve fought for this country'
Monday 6 January 2025 16:03
Gustaf Kilander
Justin Trudeau took to the podium, saying “Every morning I've woken up as prime minister, I've been inspired by the resilience, the generosity and the determination of Canadians.”
He added: “It is the driving force of every single day I have the privilege of serving in this office, that is why, since 2015 I've fought for this country, for you, to strengthen and grow the middle class, why we rallied to support each other through the pandemic, to advance reconciliation, to defend free trade on this continent, to stand strong with Ukraine and our democracy and to fight climate change and get our economy ready for the future.”
“We are at a critical moment in the world,” he argued.
Trudeau asks governor general to prorogue parliament
Monday 6 January 2025 16:00
Gustaf Kilander
Justin Trudeau met with Canada’s governor general this morning, asking her to prorogue parliament until 24 March, according to CBC and CTV News.
Proroguing parliament means that all proceedings will cease without dissolving parliament, giving the party time to find a new leader.
Live: Canada's PM Justin Trudeau expected to announce resignation
Monday 6 January 2025 15:45
Gustaf Kilander
What may happen next
Monday 6 January 2025 15:30
Gustaf Kilander
Under the constitution of the Liberal Party, the leader can hand in his or her resignation at any point, leading to a leadership contest, which usually takes a few months.
But that process may be sped up as an election is set to be held in Canada on or before 20 October.
A snap election could be held if Trudeau calls for one or if parliament passes a no-confidence vote.
Trudeau to resign as leader but remain as prime minister until successor chosen
Monday 6 January 2025 15:15
Gustaf Kilander
Justin Trudeau is set to resign as Liberal party leader but remain as prime minister until a successor has been chosen, according to CNN.
“Trudeau is deeply unpopular and has been trailing badly in the polls. He was under enormous pressure to step down before this year’s election,” FiveThirtyEight elections analyst Nathaniel Rakich wrote on X.
The rise and fall of Justin Trudeau as Canadian prime minister on the brink of resigning
Monday 6 January 2025 14:58
Rachel Clun
After nearly 10 years at the country’s helm, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau looks set to resign as leader of the ruling Liberal Party.
Mr Trudeau’s latest crisis has been sparked by the sudden resignation of his finance minister Chrystia Freeland, amid a row over how best to handle US President-elect Donald Trump’s threatened trade tariffs.
Once the poster boy for liberal politics, his popularity has waned, and his approval rating has dipped below 30 percent several times this year.
So what went wrong?
Why King Charles’ representative could remove Justin Trudeau
Monday 6 January 2025 14:25
Alex Croft
If Justin Trudeau chose not to quit - and instead to face a vote of no-confidence which is set to be brought against him - there is another constitutional route through which he could be removed.
In Canada, constitutional power ultimately lies with governor general Mary Simon.
The governor general is the federal representative of King Charles III. They are appointed by the monarch on the advice of the Canadian prime minister and technically serve for an indefinite term - although this is usually five years.
Ms Simon has the power to remove Mr Trudeau, if she wished. But in reality, this would never happen.
“The governor general won’t dismiss a prime minister who still holds the confidence of the Commons,” Philippe Lagasse, a professor and constitutional expert at Ottawa's Carleton University, said.
Breaking: Trudeau to make announcement at 10:45 local time
Monday 6 January 2025 14:11
Alex Croft
Justin Trudeau is set to make an announcement today from his residence at Rideau Cottage, the press gallery has been told.
The announcement will be made at 10:45am local time, which is around 1.5 hours from now.
That will be 15:45 UK time, 16:45 CET, 10:45 EST, 09:45 CST and 07:45 PST.
Stay here for all the latest updates.
Justin Trudeau will make an announcement at 10:45am this morning at his residence at Rideau Cottage, the press gallery was just told
— Brian Platt (@btaplatt) January 6, 2025
Justin Trudeau’s election wins
Monday 6 January 2025 13:59
Alex Croft
Justin Trudeau was once highly popular and the darling of liberalism in Canada, offering a message of hope and prosperity to revive a party which had collapsed in support when he took over.
He won three elections, with his share of the vote declining each time.
2015
Justin Trudeau had collapsed to 34 seats with 19 per cent of the vote in the 2011 election.
But a fresh, young face returned an image of positivity and competence to the Liberals, and they stormed to a majority win with 184 seats and a 39 per cent vote share.
"Real Change (Now)” was the message which saw Mr Trudeau return the party to power after nine years in the wilderness.
2019
The Liberals lost their parliamentary majority in 2019, after a vote swing of -6.4 per cent saw them lose 20 seats.
They nonetheless went on to form a single-party minority government, setting a record at the time for the lowest ever vote share required to do so.
The Conservatives won the popular vote in 2019, but Mr Trudeau’s party won 36 more seats.
2021
For the second election running, the Liberals failed to win the popular vote - the Conservatives won 1 per cent more of the vote - but were able to form a government.
Mr Trudeau had hoped the positivity around his government’s response to the Covid pandemic would translate into a rallying majority. Although this did not happen, the Liberals increased their seat share by five.
In Focus | Justin Trudeau’s fall from grace shows politics is an ugly game
Monday 6 January 2025 13:44
Alex Croft
When Justin Trudeau became the Canadian prime minister in 2015, people were still using that thing called Facebook. I can remember well the frothing posts by female friends, none of whom could contain their excitement at the election of this hottie PM. Furthermore, they gushed at the notion that what made him hotter still was not only that he was young and handsome, he was a lovely liberal dude too, which made him even more super-duper guy.
(If my male friends had written about an equally attractive female prime minister in such a way, they might well have been cancelled, but let’s park that.) As far as my friends were concerned – and to be fair, Trudeau had plenty of male fanboys – here was the perfect Generation X politician, and all would surely be well in his good hands.
Guy Walters writes:
Report: Trump’s taunts against Canada and Trudeau
Monday 6 January 2025 13:29
Alex Croft
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is already grappling with a contentious moment for his leadership and Donald Trump is adding fuel to the fire, taunting Trudeau with the prospect of making his country the 51st US state.
Trump’s familiar bullish approach to the United States’s typically friendly foreign leaders has returned full-fledged over the last week as Trudeau faces a leadership crisis amid low approval ratings.
At 3am on Wednesday, Trump hopped on Truth Social to troll the prime minister by doubling down on his pitch to make the U.S.’s northern neighbor the “51st State”.
“No one can answer why we subsidize Canada to the tune of over $100,000,000 a year? Makes no sense! Many Canadians want Canada to become the 51st State. They would save massively on taxes and military protection. I think it is a great idea. 51st State!!!” Trump wrote.
Read the full report from Ariana Baio:
Canadian dollar surges amid Trudeau’s likely resignation - report
Monday 6 January 2025 13:15
Alex Croft
The Canadian dollar is surging following reports that Justin Trudeau may resign this week, according to a global capital market analyst.
“The Canadian Dollar is surging on reports of Justin Trudeau resigning,” The Kobeissi Letter wrote on X.
BREAKING: The Canadian Dollar is surging on reports of Justin Trudeau resigning. pic.twitter.com/KPfc0q7919
— The Kobeissi Letter (@KobeissiLetter) January 6, 2025
In pictures: Trudeau’s recent activity
Monday 6 January 2025 13:01
Alex Croft
Full report: Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau expected to resign in the next few days: report
Monday 6 January 2025 12:48
Alex Croft
Justin Trudeau is expected to announce his resignation this week, according to reports.
The Canadian Prime Minister, 53, may step down as early as Monday vacating the position of the head of Canada’s ruling Liberal Party after nine years in office, a source told Reuters and the Globe and Mail.
His departure would leave the party without a leader at a time when polls show the Liberals trailing the official opposition party. If he vacates, an election in Canada must be held by late October.
Sources told the Globe and Mail that they did not know definitely when Trudeau would announce his plans to leave but said they expect it would happen before an emergency meeting of Liberal legislators on Wednesday.
Read the full report from Mike Bedigan:
The rise and fall of Justin Trudeau as Canadian prime minister on the brink of resigning
Monday 6 January 2025 12:34
Alex Croft
After nearly 10 years at the country’s helm, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is facing growing calls from his own party to resign.
Mr Trudeau’s latest crisis has been sparked by the sudden resignation of his finance minister Chrystia Freeland, amid a row over how best to handle US President-elect Donald Trump’s threatened trade tariffs.
Once the poster-boy for liberal politics, his popularity has waned and his approval rating has dipped below 30 per cent several times this year.
So what went wrong?
Rachel Clun takes a look at how the former poster boy for liberalism lost so much popularity:
