Media Reports Suggest Canadian PM Justin Trudeau Could Resign as Early as Monday

Image Source: Video Screenshot

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau may resign as early as Monday, according to media reports, amid increasing opposition within his own Liberal party.

Both The Globe and Mail and The Toronto Star reported that sources close to the party expect Trudeau to step down before Wednesday’s national caucus meeting. The resignation announcement could come within the next 24 hours, the reports said on Sunday.

Trudeau’s office declined to comment when contacted by AFP.

If he resigns, his party would be left without a leader just months before the next federal election, which is set for the end of October. It’s unclear whether Trudeau, 53, would continue as the interim leader or step down from that role immediately if he resigns as prime minister.

Trudeau’s popularity has dropped in recent months. His government narrowly survived several no-confidence votes, and growing criticism has fueled calls for his resignation.

Despite this, he pledged to remain in office and lead the party through the upcoming election. However, he has faced increasing pressure from U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, who threatened to impose a 25-percent tariff on Canadian goods.

In December, Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland resigned after disagreeing with Trudeau over how to respond to Trump’s proposed trade policies. Her departure marked the first public dissent from within the cabinet.

Later that month, Trudeau made significant changes to his cabinet, replacing a third of his ministers in an attempt to stabilize his government. He also traveled to Florida in November to meet Trump at his Mar-a-Lago estate in an effort to prevent a trade war.

However, Trump has continued to publicly criticize Trudeau, repeatedly calling him the “governor” of Canada and joking that the country should become the 51st U.S. state.

Trudeau was first elected in 2015 and won re-election in 2019 and 2021. But he now trails his main rival, Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre, by 20 points in public opinion polls.

The son of the late Pierre Trudeau, a former prime minister, Justin Trudeau entered politics later in life after working as a snowboard instructor, bartender, bouncer, and teacher. He was first elected to the House of Commons in 2008, representing a working-class Montreal neighborhood.

During his time in office, he introduced Senate reforms, signed a new trade deal with the U.S., and implemented a carbon tax to combat climate change.

He also legalized cannabis, launched a public inquiry into missing and murdered Indigenous women, and passed legislation permitting medically assisted suicide.