Capital Dispatch: Justin Trudeau is resigning

A special edition on Justin Trudeau's resignation.

January 7, 2025

Justin Trudeau to step down as soon as Liberals pick his replacement, what now?  It's only been eighteen days since I was last in your inboxes, vowing not to be back "unless something seismic happens." Well.  In a major political move, today Justin Trudeau announced his intention to step down as leader of the Liberal Party of Canada and prime minister, once his successor is named. This decision comes after more than nine years in the country's top job, nearly 12 years at the helm of his party, and follows months of political instability and escalating turmoil for "Team Trudeau." So, what all went down today? And what happens now? Here's what you need to know.    The week that was After a holiday spent reflecting, while Liberal MPs filled the void calling for his resignation in growing numbers, today Justin Trudeau bowed out.  Announcing his departure at Rideau Cottage, the prime minister said that Canadians deserve a real choice in the looming 2025 federal campaign, and it's become clear to him that "if I'm having to fight internal battles, I cannot be the best option in that election."  A source close to Trudeau told CTV News that the prime minister came to this decision over the last few days, and the public declaration followed him briefing staff in the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) on Monday morning and speaking to his three children over dinner the night before.  Chatter had started on Sunday that today would be the day many long speculated about, and by early morning PMO gave the parliamentary press gallery notice that, similar to the pandemic crisis period, Trudeau would make an announcement and take questions outside his official residence.  "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 told reporters, fielding only a few questions following his historic declaration.  "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."  At the same time Trudeau told the country that he intends to leave, he put a timeline on it. He said that prior to coming before the cameras, he met with Gov. Gen. Mary Simon and she granted his request to prorogue Parliament until March 24, bringing an end to the longest session of a minority Parliament in Canadian history. That has now started the clock ticking for the Liberal Party of Canada to strike a leadership race, with the intention of finding Trudeau's replacement in just 77 days.  That's when the House of Commons is due back with a Speech from the Throne that could very well be what brings this embattled Liberal government down, based on the other parties' reactions today. So now what?  Well, in terms of the leadership race, keep scrolling for our rundown on top contenders, but as for what we know about the timing, so far, the race is just starting to take shape.  In a statement, President of the Liberal Party of Canada Sachit Mehra confirmed that Trudeau had asked him to begin the "robust, nationwide, competitive process" to pick their next leader. Mehra said he will call a national board meeting "this week."  From there, according to the party's playbook, it's during this meeting that top party officials would be required to set a date for a leadership vote as well as other parameters for the contest. In terms of Parliament, Trudeau requesting prorogation to give his party time to run an expedited leadership race also has the effect of putting off his party from facing the prospect of falling on a confidence vote until the spring.  This afternoon the House of Commons confirmed that a proclamation was issued Jan. 6, proroguing the first session of the 44th Parliament, "effective immediately." This has brought an end to all proceedings in both the House of Commons and Senate, including committee work.  This includes any measures promised in his ill-fated fall economic statement, the procedural filibuster that's stalled nearly all parliamentary business since September, and the scheduled Tuesday meeting where the Conservatives were set to begin proceedings towards advancing a non-confidence motion in early January.  During prorogation, the Speaker, prime minister, minister, and parliamentary secretaries remain in their roles, and all MPs retain their full rights and privileges.  And, in terms of caucus, an emergency national Liberal caucus meeting still on the books for Wednesday. Behind closed doors, MPs are now likely to discuss the rules for, and their role in the party's search for Trudeau's successor.  Speaking to CTV News throughout the day, several MPs expressed optimism that the party will still have enough time to refresh and reinvigorate the Liberal brand before Canadians head to the polls.

Not to be missed A look at Trudeau's legacy, political eras    Trudeau's resignation has set the ball in motion towards the end of his historic political tenure, one marked by both substantial social and policy change, as well as controversy and fluctuating public support. As the country readies to enter a new political era, colleague Spencer Van Dyk and yours truly put together a comprehensive look-back at Trudeau's political career over nearly the last two decades. From "sunny ways," and the Canada Child Benefit, to his pandemic-era stewardship and struggling to ensure people felt supported through the subsequent inflation and housing crises, the long-read is a retrospective worth diving into as Liberals start to consider the direction they'll head, in his stead.  Who may be running to replace him? With Trudeau now stepping out of the way, several well-known political faces may be waiting in the wings for their opportunity to take his place. New data from Nanos Research shows that while "none of the above" remains at the top of the list of most appealing replacements for Trudeau, former deputy prime minister Chrystia Freeland and former Bank of Canada governor Mark Carney come in a close second and third place respectively. Here's a look at those who are considered to be top contenders to replace Trudeau. What Donald Trump had to say       And, U.S. Congress today certified Donald Trump's election victory, two weeks before he's sworn in as president, and four years after the Jan. 6 insurrection.  But that didn't stop him from having time to pay attention to the news south of the border. As the news hit all major U.S. television networks, Trump took to Truth Social and reiterated his suggestion Canada become the 51st U.S. state.

Quote of the day "Every morning I've woken up as prime minister, I've been inspired by the resilience, the generosity and the determination of Canadians. It is the driving force of every single day I have the privilege of serving in this office. That is why, since 2015, I've fought for this country, for you, to strengthen and grow the middle class, why we rallied to support each other through the pandemic, to advance reconciliation, to defend free trade on this continent, to stand strong with Ukraine and our democracy and to fight climate change and get our economy ready for the future. We are at a critical moment in the world. My friends, as you all know, I'm a fighter. Every bone in my body has always told me to fight because I care deeply about Canadians. I care deeply about this country, and I will always be motivated by what is in the best interest of Canadians… 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."      -  Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, in his resignation speech.

The week ahead While Parliament won't be coming back later this month, the country is entering into an era of substantial political developments that is set to bring no shortage of major headlines.   With the Liberal Party of Canada embarking on a national search for Trudeau's successor, and just 77 days to find them before the next Speech from the Throne is expected, what transpires in the weeks ahead will be consequential.  Make sure you're signed up for CTV News' breaking news alerts, and stay tuned to our coverage, across platforms.

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