Ottawa: Amid declining popularity and recent resignations of cabinet colleagues, Justin Trudeau announced stepping down as Canada’s prime minister on Monday and the leader of the Liberal Party after nearly nine years in power.
Trudeau, 53, said he will continue to serve as prime minister until the Liberal Party selects a new leader, and that Governor-General Mary Simon has approved his request to prorogue Parliament until 24 March.
“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,” Mr. Trudeau said in his announcement.
“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,” he said.
What next for Canada?
The next election is officially set for October, but it is expected to take place much sooner. The decision to prorogue Parliament until 24 March paves the way for a confidence vote shortly after, which is likely to spark a spring election campaign.
Parliament’s return is scheduled just days ahead of a crucial 31 March deadline, when the House of Commons must vote on interim supply – the measure that grants federal departments the necessary funding to operate during the first three months of the fiscal year.
With only a brief window between the House of Commons reconvening and this deadline, a confidence vote is inevitable by late March, either on spending or on a motion to approve the Speech from the Throne following the prorogation.
On Monday, the Conservatives, Bloc Québécois, and the NDP all announced their intention to vote against the government. NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh, whose party has often supported the minority Liberal government, firmly stated that the NDP will vote non-confidence at the first opportunity.
