Justin Trudeau to step down as PM following Liberal leadership race

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is stepping down as Liberal leader, and is proroguing Parliament as the Liberal Party of Canada embarks on the journey to replace him.

In an historic announcement outside his official Rideau Cottage residence, Trudeau declared his intention to stay on as prime minister until a new leader is chosen.

Citing the inability to overcome "internal battles," Trudeau said that he intends to resign as both Liberal leader, and prime minister, once his party "selects its next leader through a robust, nationwide, competitive process."

The prime minister said he asked the president of the Liberal party to begin that work, now.

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A source close to Trudeau told CTV News that the prime minister came to this decision over the last few days.

"Last night over dinner, I told my kids about the decision I'm sharing with you today," he said Monday. "This country deserves a real choice in the next election, and it has become clear to me that if I'm having to fight internal battles, I cannot be the best option in that election."

Trudeau also met with Gov. Gen. Mary Simon this morning where he asked for, and was granted the prorogation of Parliament, until March 24. This brings an end to the longest session of a minority Parliament in Canadian history.

"As you all know, I'm a fighter. Every bone in my body has always told me to fight… I care deeply about this country," Trudeau said. He went on to say that he hopes removing himself "from the equation" will tamp down the level of polarization in the current federal political conversation.

"I truly feel that removing the contention around my own continued leadership is an opportunity to bring the temperature down, have a government that will focus on the complex issues that are coming forward in the coming months," Trudeau said

"While the party gets to have a full national process that brings in people from right across the country, and makes a determination about the best person to carry the progressive Liberal standard into the next election." 

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Speaking publicly for the first time since his embattled Liberal minority government became embroiled in turmoil following the bombshell resignation of his deputy Chrystia Freeland in mid-December, Trudeau only took a handful of reporters' questions.

He said, standing where he stood for countless pandemic-era press conferences, that he'd hoped Freeland would stay on and pick up the key Canada-U.S. relations file, "but she chose otherwise," deferring on offering any other details about what went down between the two of them. On social media, Freeland later thanked him for his "years of service" and said she wished him "the very best." 

Trudeau also said during his press conference that while he is not one to back away from a fight, "particularly when a fight is as important as this one is," he has "always been driven by my love for Canada, by my desire to serve Canadians, and by what is in the best interests of Canadians.

Speaking briefly about his legacy, Trudeau said looking back, he's proud of his work to "fight for the middle class," and increasing benefits for families that have helped drop poverty rates. He also cited his work on Indigenous reconciliation.

As for his regrets, he said there are "probably many," but referred to his decision to abandon his electoral reform pledge as a central one.

"I do wish that we'd been able to change the way we elect our governments in this country," he said. 

Resignation comes with parliamentary pause

Trudeau requesting prorogation to give his party time to run an expedited leadership race without facing the prospect of falling on a confidence vote, will also bring an end to the procedural filibuster that's stalled nearly all parliamentary business since September.

"Despite best efforts to work through it, Parliament has been paralyzed for months," Trudeau said Monday. "It's time for a reset."

The House of Commons was scheduled to resume on Jan. 27, at which point the Conservatives were angling to advance a non-confidence motion within days, as the NDP indicated last month they were ready to vote to bring down the Liberal minority in the new year.

Prorogation has effectively killed all legislative business that hasn't passed, leaving measures promised in Trudeau's ill-fated fall economic statement in limbo, as well as the Liberals' long-languishing pledge to crack down on harmful online content. These measures and others could be reinstated, if the other parties agree.

Asking for the House of Commons to be halted until late March comes after Trudeau's advisers received legal guidance indicating that was the longest the government could go without approving spending.

The next session would begin with a Speech from the Throne, setting the stage for potentially a series of key confidence votes. If the Liberals fall on any one of them, it could be the first step in triggering an early federal election.

"This prorogation will take us only into March, and there will be confidence votes in March, in the passing of supply, that will allow Parliament to weigh in on confidence in a way that is entirely in keeping with all the principles of democracy and the workings of our strong institutions," Trudeau said.

Trudeau's desire to steer the government through the next two months comes as Canada braces for the start of U.S. president-elect Donald Trump's second term. Reacting to the news, Trump reiterated his suggestion Canada become the 51st U.S. state. 

PM met with top staffers amid caucus pressure  

Trudeau's resignation announcement came after he met with PMO staffers in-person on Monday morning, to discuss his political future.

Two sources told CTV News that they expected the prime minister and his Chief of Staff Katie Telford to convey to the broader team in that meeting that that they did not see a path forward for Trudeau's continued leadership, in the absence of support from the Liberal caucus. 

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A majority of the Ontario, Atlantic, Quebec and B.C. caucuses determined over the Christmas break that they wanted Trudeau to step aside, and a national, daylong caucus to discuss that fact and next steps has been set for Wednesday.

In the mid-week meeting – set to be his first with the full Liberal caucus since telling them he'd be reflecting on his next steps over the holidays – it was expected Trudeau would be confronted with calls to resign, as many MPs have becoming increasingly concerned about the party's popularity heading into the 2025 federal election with him as leader.

Now, it's likely that meeting will focus on the party, and caucus' next steps in setting off on the steps to pick Trudeau's successor. 

"A new prime minister and leader of the Liberal party will carry its values and ideals into that next election. I'm excited to see the process unfold in the months ahead," Trudeau said Monday. 

Throughout the day, Liberal MPs have been reacting to the news that the leader that helped them get elected over the last three campaigns won't be the one leading them into the next. Many described having mixed emotions, but expressed optimism that now the ballot question in the coming election won't be Trudeau.

"I think many of us cried with sadness to see him be put in the position where he felt the only way forward was for him to step down," said MP Judy Sgro. "Knowing how committed he was to going forward with this, it took a lot for him to finally decide that he was an impediment to the party moving forward."

"This is a bittersweet moment," said former MP and cabinet minister David Lametti. "I think Canadians were sending a clear message… that they wanted a change, and I think the prime minister heard that."

MP Alexandra Mendès, who said in the summer that her constituents wanted Trudeau to go, said she wouldn't hypothesize on whether his resignation comes too late. "It happened when it happened," she said.

"What happened today was in the best interest of the country, in the best interest of the party, and I think probably in prime minister Trudeau's best interest from a family perspective," said Liberal MP Sean Casey.

"The fact that he waited so long to make the right decision deprived him of some of the dignity that he deserved in a circumstance like that," said Casey, who had been among the most outspoken MPs about Trudeau's time as leader being up. 

MPs being briefed on party leadership rules: sources

In anticipation that Trudeau would have to publicly address the escalating pressure he's facing early in the new year, Liberal supporters have already started contemplating the party's leadership rules, as well as the kinds of preparations needed for a shortened race.

Two sources tell CTV News that Liberal MPs were invited to a special two-hour virtual briefing Monday afternoon on the party's constitution and caucus' role in leadership issues.

According to the Liberal Party of Canada's constitution, "upon the occurrence of a leadership trigger event," or if the leader announces their resignation, a meeting of the national board of directors must be called within 27 days.

Then, in consultation with caucus the board could appoint an interim leader, though that may not be a step taken in this instance given Trudeau's intention to stay on as the search unfolds. The top party officials would also be required to set a date for a leadership vote as well as other parameters around the race.

In a statement, President of the Liberal Party of Canada Sachit Mehra said he plans to call a national board meeting this week. 

"Liberals across the country are immensely grateful to Justin Trudeau for more than a decade of leadership to our Party and the country," Mehra said, crediting Trudeau with rebuilding the party and making it "the most open and inclusive movement in Canadian politics."

"We look forward to his continued leadership until a new leader is chosen." 

Trudeau has been the leader of the Liberal Party of Canada since 2013, and prime minister since 2015.

Sworn in on Nov. 4, 2015, Justin Trudeau will be the seventh longest serving prime minister in Canadian history.

If he stays until March 24, he will have led Canada for nine years and 140 days. His father Pierre Elliott Trudeau served 15 years and 164 days, over two terms.

'Facing the same people: opposition parties react

Reacting to Trudeau's looming departure, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre – who has been leading the Liberals in the polls for the better part of the last two years – questioned what will really change.

"Canadians desperate to turn the page on this dark chapter in our history might be relieved today that Justin Trudeau is finally leaving. But what has really changed?" Poilievre asked in a video posted on social media. "Every Liberal MP in power today and every potential Liberal leadership contender fighting for the top job helped Justin Trudeau break the country over the last nine years." 

Not taking any questions in making his comments online, Poilievre accused the Liberals of acting in political self-interest in pushing for the prime minister to go.

"Their only objection is that he is no longer popular enough to win an election and keep them in power," he said, going on to restate his longstanding calls for a "carbon tax election now."

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Speaking to reporters in the House of Commons foyer, Bloc Quebecois Leader Yves-Francois Blanchet also called for an election, saying from his perspective the Liberals are beyond securing the Bloc's future support on any measures.

"The institution we are facing is the Liberal Party of Canada. It has been deeply transformed by Mr. Trudeau, and there is no possible way for this party to become something else in a few weeks," Blanchet said.

"So we are facing the same people, with the same values, the same ideology."

NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh took the opportunity to criticize Trudeau – who he helped keep in power for years – for letting Canadians down, "over and over." He also expressed the sentiment that no matter who is leading the Liberals, the party does not deserve another chance. 

Singh told reporters that no matter what confidence vote arises in the months ahead, "New Democrats will be voting against this government, for an election, where Canadians will have a choice." 

The next fixed election date is in October 2025. Though with the Liberals looking poised to not have any parliamentary dance partners willing to help them stay afloat when work in the Commons resumes 77 days from now, the chances of a spring election call are increasing.

That likelihood will leave Trudeau's coming replacement a limited runway to introduce themselves to Canadians.

With files from CTV News Chief Political Correspondent Vassy Kapelos, Mike Le Couteur, and Spencer Van Dyk