On Jan.6, after nearly a decade in power, Justin Trudeau announced that he would be resigning as the Prime Minister of Canada and as the party leader of the Liberal party.
Trudeau, the son of former Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau, began his political career in the early 2000s before being elected Prime Minister in 2015. Trudeau promised a new, optimistic era in Canada’s history, promising to provide greater equality. This commitment led to gender equality within his cabinet, which is 50% female. Additionally, Trudeau supported carbon taxes to reduce climate change, and he supported Canada’s indigenous community by promoting indigenous culture and being outspoken on its history.
However, Trudeau is also no stranger to controversy, and by 2024 his approval ratings hit 22%. These low approval ratings can be linked to growing discontent over Canada’s high cost of living, with many young people struggling to buy homes, and the homelessness rate increasing. Additionally there’s been controversy over Trudeau’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, and his use of emergency power to shut down the Canada Convoy protests– where truck drivers protested vaccine mandates.
Since then Trudeau’s faced growing pressure from the Liberal party to resign over low approval ratings. He cited internal conflicts as a driving factor of his resignation, stating that he and the Liberal party wouldn’t be successful with fighting within the party. In early Dec. Chrystia Freeland, deputy prime minister, abruptly resigned, citing disagreements with Trudeau over how to negotiate with the US government. This was sparked by President Trump’s proposed 25% tax on Canadian goods which has the potential to damage the economy.
Disagreements with Trump began in his 2024 campaign, with him and his campaign occasionally referring to Trudeau as “Governor Trudeau,” and expressing his desire for Canada to become the 51st state of America. After Trudeau’s resignation Trump expressed his desire for the two countries to merge, stating that it’d lower taxes and increase security for Canada against foreign powers. Meanwhile, outside of Parliament Hill, a group of protesters celebrated Trudeau’s resignation.
What the future holds for Canada’s political future is uncertain. In recent years the Conservative party, led by Pierre Poilievre, has been growing in power, fuelled by dissatisfaction with the high cost of living. Poilievre has promised to secure Canada’s borders, limit government spending and prioritize the wellbeing of its citizens. Additionally, he’s against Trudeau’s carbon tax, but has otherwise stayed quiet about environmental issues. In regards to the Conservative party Trudeau has stated that he believes their vision for Canada isn’t optimistic, and that it’d be a step back in terms of diversity and climate change.
As for the liberal party, their election will be held on Oct. 20, and currently six contenders have been approved, after getting 300 signatures from registered liberals and paying $50,000, the initial fee.
What’s for certain is that Canada needed a change, and conflict with the US government only sped up Trudeau’s downfall. While Trudeau has made strides in terms of diversity, equality and climate change; the high cost of living and an economy that’s struggling to grow has pushed many Canadians in an uncomfortable financial position.
