PM Trudeau Announces Resignation, Sparks Political Turmoil in Canada

Canadian PM Justin Trudeau made a surprise announcement on 6 Jan that he will resign as PM and Liberal Party leader once a successor is chosen. Citing internal battles within his own party and sagging popularity in public opinion polls, PM Trudeau said ‘it has become obvious to me with the internal battles that I cannot be the one to carry the Liberal standard into the next election,’ prompting him to ask Governor General Mary Simon to prorogue Parliament until 24 Mar to allow time for a leadership contest. His decision followed the abrupt resignation of former finance minister Chrystia Freeland in December 2024. Freeland accused PM Trudeau of using ‘costly political gimmicks’ instead of sound economic policy, which contributed to the rapid increase of the cost of living in Canada. PM Trudeau and the Liberal Party have been at the center of various political scandals, which range from accepting inappropriate gifts, and attempts to outflank the New Democratic Party (NDP) on issues that impacted Canada’s middle and lower class. This caused a rift between the two parties, where NDP leader Jagmeet Singh broke away from the Liberal-NDP coalition. Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre pounced on PM Trudeau’s resignation as proof of Liberal turmoil, vowing to force an election at the earliest opportunity, although that plan will be delayed by Parliament’s suspension. Previously in 2023, PM Trudeau stated in Parliament that he and Canadian authorities had hard evidence which implicated the Indian govt. in playing a direct role in the killing of Sikh separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Surrey, British Columbia (WD Vol 1, Issue 1, Story 1). As PM Trudeau prepares to exit office after nearly a decade, Canadians face an unprecedented domestic political upheaval, and regional challenges with the US on tariffs along with uncertainties on Sikh and Panjab matters with India.