LAST UPDATE | 6 Jan 2025

CANADIAN PRIME MINISTER Justin Trudeau has announced his resignation after almost a decade in power.

The prime minister, who first came to office in 2015, has become deeply unpopular with the Canadian public over soaring costs-of-living. Pressure mounted on Trudeau following the abrupt resignation of his deputy prime minister on 16 December.

During a press conference today, he said it was in the “best interest” of Canadians that he step down as prime minister and leader of the Liberal Party.

The Canadian parliament has been prorogued until 24 March as the Liberal Party prepare for a leadership election.

Trudeau said he has had time to reflect with his family.

He said in the past hour: “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 and as prime minister after the party selects its next leader through a robust, nationwide competitive process.

“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 to clear to me that I’m having to fight internal battles. I cannot be the best option in that election.”

The resignation last month of Chrystia Freeland – the finance minister and the deputy prime minister of Canada – marked the first open dissent against Trudeau from within his cabinet.

She wrote in her resignation letter that Canada faces a “grave challenge” as US President elect Donald Trump plans to introduce high tariffs on Canadian imports. Freeland said she and Trudeau found themselves at odds over how to deal tax.

Trudeau and Freeland had been at loggerheads over a seemingly unsuccessful trip to Trump’s residence in Florida by the prime minister, who tried to convince the president-elect not to impose the tariffs.

Tensions worsened following a giveaway budget that saw Canadians receive a ‘sales tax holiday’ which critics said was costly and aimed at bolstering the Liberals’ sagging polling figures.

Opinion polls on Trudeau dropped more than 20 points last month, the lowest in his career. He today said that the parliament has been “entirely sized” by a “total lack of productivity”.

“We are now the longest-serving minority government in history, and it’s time for the temperature to come down,” he said, adding that there was a need for a “reset” in leadership and politics.

Tánaiste pays tribute

In a statement on behalf of the Irish Government, the Tánaiste Micheál Martin thanked Trudeau for his “significant contribution to the global stage”, praising him for working towards a “more just and sustainable” world.

Martin added:

“Under his leadership, the relationship between Ireland and Canada has deepened. His support for the Irish-Canadian community, based on our shared values and historical and cultural bonds, has strengthened the friendship between our two countries.

“PM Trudeau’s commitment to the partnership between Ireland and Canada was clear to me during my meeting with him in Toronto in March of last year, and during his visit to Ireland in 2017. I extend my best wishes to Prime Minister Trudeau, a true friend of Ireland, in his future endeavours.”

- Includes reporting by © AFP 2024