The resignation of Trudeau's finance minister expedited the outcome. Trudeau had become deeply unpopular over a range of issues, including the soaring cost of food and housing and did not say anything in recent weeks despite intensifying pressure for him to step down.
Justin Trudeau steps down as Canadian Prime Minister and Liberal Party leader amid turmoil in his government. Trudeau at his much-awaited press conference on Monday stated, "I intend to resign as party leader, as Prime Minister, after the party selects its new leader."
The resignation of Trudeau's finance minister expedited the outcome as the the pressure for Trudeau's resignation only increased. Trudeau had become deeply unpopular over a range of issues, including the soaring cost of food and housing and the fact that he kept mum over the last few weeks did not go well for him.
This might potentially delay the return of Liberals to the Parliament as they need time to choose a new leader.
Because Trudeau's Liberals do not hold an outright majority in Parliament, they have for years depended on the support of the NDP to pass legislation and stay in power.
But that support has vanished — NDP leader Jagmeet Singh made clear last month the NDP will vote to bring down the government. The other opposition parties have said the same.
Speaking at the presser Trudeau also said, “I don't easily back down faced with a fight, especially a very important one for our party and the country. But I do this job because the interests of Canadians and the well being of democracy is something that I hold dear."
He said Parliament, which had been due to resume Jan 27, would be suspended until March 24. The timing will allow for a Liberal Party leadership race.
All three main opposition parties have said they plan to topple the Liberal Party in a no-confidence vote when Parliament resumes, so a spring election after the Liberals pick a new leader was almost assured.
“The Liberal Party of Canada is an important institution in the history of our great country and democracy. A new prime minister and leader of the Liberal Party will carry its values and ideals into that next election,” Trudeau said. “I am excited to see that process unfold in the months ahead.”
The 53-year-old was initially hailed for returning the country to its liberal past when he was elected in 2015, but he has become widely unpopular in recent years. The political upheaval comes at a difficult moment for Canada.
US President-elect Donald Trump has threatened to impose 25% tariffs on all Canadian products if Canada does not stem what he calls a flow of migrants and drugs in the United States — even though far fewer of each cross into the US from Canada than from Mexico.
While all three opposition parties now say they would support a vote to topple Trudeau's minority government, Parliament is not currently in session so that threat isn't immediate. But members of his own party are increasingly calling for his resignation — making his situation appear more and more untenable.
Still, there is no mechanism for Trudeau's party to force him out in the short term. If he hangs on until Parliament returns later this month, his Liberal party could be forced from power by a no-confidence vote that would trigger an election, which would very likely favour the opposing Conservative Party.