Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced his resignation!

January 6, 2025January 6, 2025

On January 6, 2025, at 10:00 AM, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced his resignation as leader of the Liberal Party and his intention to step down as prime minister once a successor is chosen. He will continue to serve as prime minister until the Liberal Party elects a new leader, with the leadership race expected to conclude before Parliament resumes on March 24, 2025. This significant but expected move came after months of heavy critique of Justin Trudeau and the Liberal Government. In recent weeks multiple high profile Liberal Government ministers have resigned including finance minister Christie Freehand, making the path for many rumours on what is going on inside the Canadian Government and possibility of Justin Trudeau doing same.

Rise to Power

Justin Trudeau, born on December 25, 1971, in Ottawa, Ontario, is the eldest son of former Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau. He graduated from McGill University in 1994 with a Bachelor of Arts in literature and later obtained a Bachelor of Education from the University of British Columbia in 1998. Before entering politics, Trudeau worked as a teacher and was involved in various youth and environmental organizations. Trudeau entered politics in 2008, winning the parliamentary seat for the Papineau riding in Montreal. In 2013, he was elected leader of the Liberal Party, and in 2015, he led the party to a majority government, becoming the second-youngest prime minister in Canadian history.

Achievements

During his tenure, Trudeau implemented several significant policies:

Canada Child Benefit: Introduced to provide increased financial support to families with children, aiming to reduce child poverty.
Legalization of Recreational Cannabis: In 2018, Canada became the second country to legalize recreational marijuana nationwide, aiming to regulate and restrict access to cannabis.
Carbon Tax Implementation: Trudeau’s government introduced a federal carbon pricing system to combat climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Trade Agreements: His administration successfully negotiated trade deals, including the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) and the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership, enhancing Canada’s trade relations.

Controversies and Criticisms

Trudeau’s tenure was also marked by several controversies:

Ethics Violations: He was found to have violated conflict of interest rules in the Aga Khan affair and the SNC-Lavalin affair, raising questions about his ethical conduct.
Blackface Scandal: In 2019, photos and videos emerged showing Trudeau in blackface makeup during past events, leading to accusations of racism and hypocrisy.
WE Charity Scandal: His government’s decision to award a significant contract to the WE Charity, an organization with ties to his family, led to allegations of favoritism, though he was cleared of wrongdoing.
Handling of Protests: The invocation of the Emergencies Act in response to the 2022 Freedom Convoy protests was seen by some as an overreach of government power.

Decline in Popularity

In recent years, Trudeau’s popularity declined due to various factors:

Economic Challenges: Rising costs of living and housing affordability issues led to public dissatisfaction with his government’s economic policies.
Internal Party Dissent: Key figures within the Liberal Party, including Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland, resigned, citing disagreements with Trudeau’s vision for Canada.
Electoral Prospects: Polls indicated declining support for the Liberal Party, with the opposition Conservative Party gaining momentum, increasing pressure on Trudeau to step down.

From beloved Prime Minister to highly anticipated resignation

Justin Trudeau’s nearly decade-long tenure as Prime Minister of Canada was characterized by significant policy achievements and notable controversies. His progressive agenda brought about substantial changes in Canadian society, but various scandals and policy criticisms eroded public trust over time. As the Liberal Party prepares to elect a new leader ahead of the March 24 election, Canada’s political landscape stands at a pivotal juncture, with the forthcoming leadership expected to shape the nation’s future direction.