Trudeau had been Canada’s second-youngest prime minister when he was elected in 2015, and had been planning to run for a fourth term in next year’s election, even as discontent within his party grew. He said he had “always been driven by my love for Canada” and repeatedly described himself as a fighter.
Trudeau said Monday that he asked the president of his Liberal Party to begin the process of selecting a new leader. He has faced growing discontent over his leadership, and the abrupt departure of his finance minister late last year indicated growing unrest within his government.
Parliament will be suspended until March 24. It was due to resume on January 27. The timing will allow for a Liberal Party leadership race
Donald Trump’s threat to impose tariffs on Canada
The political turmoil comes at a difficult time for Canada internationally. US President-elect Donald Trump has threatened to impose 25% tariffs on all Canadian goods if the government does not stop what Trump calls a flow of migrants and drugs into the United States.
Trudeau has faced growing discontent over his leadership, and the abrupt departure of his finance minister late last year indicated growing unrest within his government.
Shortly before he spoke, an official familiar with the matter said that Parliament will be suspended until March 24. It had been scheduled to resume on January 27. The timing will allow for a Liberal Party leadership race. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak about the matter publicly.