Canada PM Justin Trudeau may resign today

According to a report by Canada-based The Globe and Mail, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is likely to announce his resignation as the leader of the Liberal Party on Monday. The report, citing three sources, suggests he may reveal his decision to step down ahead of a crucial national caucus meeting set to take place on Wednesday.

Over the past few months, 53-year-old Trudeau has been losing support within his own party and facing a caucus revolt. Also, he and his party have been facing dismal public opinion polls that show Liberal Party will likely be swept out of power by Pierre Poilievre’s Conservatives in a landslide victory if the elections are conducted now.

One of the sources quoted by The Globe and Mail, who has been in contact with Trudeau, said if the PM steps down, it’s not because he doesn’t think he’s the right person to lead the party but rather because he came to the conclusion that the caucus is no longer behind him.

Canada polls are due in October this year, but if Trudeau resigns, it would spur fresh calls for a quick election to put in place a government able to deal with the administration of President-elect Donald Trump for the next four years.

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Will Trudeau also resign from the Canadian PM post?

The talks of change in leadership comes after almost 12 year when in 2013 Trudeau took over as Liberal Party leader, the time when the party was in deep trouble and was for the first time reduced to third place in the House of Commons.

Though the report claims that Trudeau can announce his resignation from the Liberal Party leader post, it, however, remains unclear whether he will leave immediately or stay on as prime minister until a new leader is selected.

Trudeau’s numbers are poor and Canada is scheduled to go to polls this year. As per a December 31, 2024, survey from Nanos Research, Conservatives lead by 26 points. The poll further shows Conservative support at 46.6 per cent.

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Why Trudeau may resign before Liberal caucus meet?

The Globe and Mail report quoted one of the sources, who spoke recently to Trudeau, as saying that the Canadian PM realises he needs to make an announcement before he meets the Liberal caucus “so it doesn’t look like he was forced out by his own MPs.”

Trudeau is, however, believed to be staying in his position until a new leader was chosen, the report quoted a fourth source as saying.

What happens next after Trudeau resigns?

If Trudeau resigns on Monday (January 6, 2025), the Liberal Party will have two options:

1 – Appoint an interim leader on the recommendation of national caucus.

2 – Hold a shortened leadership contest which would require the Prime Minister to request that Governor-General Mary Simon prorogue Parliament.

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Trudeau’s Potential Resignation: Who Could Replace Him?

If Trudeau resigns, the question of his replacement arises. According to a report from The Globe and Mail, one source mentioned that Trudeau recently discussed with Finance Minister Dominic LeBlanc about the possibility of him stepping in as interim leader and prime minister. However, the source added that it would not be feasible if LeBlanc, as expected, intends to run for the leadership position.

Meanwhile, numerous MPs have shown a preference for an interim leader. Last week, Alberta Liberal George Chahal even wrote a letter to his caucus colleagues requesting this.