Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is reportedly preparing to resign as early as Monday following mounting political pressure, a contentious dispute with U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, and declining approval ratings, according to sources cited by The Globe and Mail.
Three unnamed sources familiar with the matter revealed that Trudeau’s resignation would precede a key meeting with his Liberal Party peers. The decision comes on the heels of Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland’s resignation, reportedly influenced by Trudeau’s fallout with Trump over tariff policies.
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Trudeau, who has served as Prime Minister since 2015, now faces a 33% approval rating, according to a September Ipsos poll. Rising dissatisfaction within his own party has added to the pressure, with over 40 members of parliament calling for his resignation, as reported by The New York Post in December.
If Trudeau steps down, an interim Prime Minister would be selected from within the Liberal Party to lead until the next federal election, which must be called by October 20, 2025, unless triggered sooner by a vote of no confidence.
Trudeau’s tenure has been marred by multiple scandals, including:
- 2019 Blackface Controversy: Images emerged of Trudeau wearing blackface at a party in 2001, sparking widespread criticism.
- Judicial Interference Allegations: Trudeau was accused of instructing then-Attorney General Jody Wilson-Raybould to drop corruption charges against Quebec-based SNC-Lavalin in 2019.
These controversies, coupled with dissatisfaction over his handling of cost-of-living issues and immigration, have fueled his unpopularity.
READ: Canada Tightens Border Security Amid President-Elect Trump’s Tariff Threats
Polls indicate that the rival Conservative Party, led by Pierre Poilievre, is likely to secure a majority in the next election. The Conservatives currently hold a commanding 21-point lead over the Liberals, according to recent CBC News polling.
Poilievre has sharply criticized Trudeau’s policies, including housing shortages tied to immigration and the carbon tax. He has emphasized that Canada’s housing stock is failing to keep pace with population growth, exacerbating affordability issues.
Among Canadian voters, pressing issues include:
- Cost of Living and Housing: Home prices have surged by 227% from 2003 to 2023, while wages have risen only 74.3%, according to NerdWallet. Housing shortages and affordability concerns dominate public discourse.
- Immigration: The influx of new residents under Trudeau’s government has intensified housing shortages, according to Poilievre.
- Gun Control: Trudeau’s gun control policies, including a sweeping 2020 ban on “assault weapons,” have drawn criticism from conservatives and gun rights advocates.
- Carbon Tax: Trudeau’s environmental policies, particularly the carbon tax, have faced backlash for increasing living costs.
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If Trudeau resigns, he will leave behind a complex legacy marked by ambitious policies, public scandals, and declining political fortunes. His departure would signal a dramatic shift in Canadian politics as the Liberals face an uphill battle to regain public trust.
Trudeau’s office has not yet confirmed the reports, but if the resignation materializes, it will mark the end of a nine-year tenure and potentially pave the way for significant political change in Canada.
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