Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau Expected to Announce Resignation Today
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is expected to announce his resignation today, according to sources cited by The Globe and Mail on Sunday. Although the exact timing of his departure remains unclear, it is anticipated that he will step down before a national caucus meeting scheduled for Wednesday.
This announcement comes amid a decline in Trudeau’s popularity, as he faces mounting challenges ahead of the country’s national elections on October 20. Canada is grappling with a housing crisis, rising inflation, and a shrinking per-capita GDP, contributing to widespread dissatisfaction.
Recent polling data from Angus Reid shows that Trudeau’s approval ratings have dropped significantly, with only 28% of Canadians expressing support for him, while his disapproval rate has soared to 68% as of December 24.
Trudeau’s potential resignation follows a tumultuous period in his leadership. After becoming prime minister in 2015, he faced a no-confidence vote in Parliament this past September, although the motion failed despite strong efforts from the Conservative Party to oust him.
Adding to the pressure, Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland resigned from Trudeau’s Cabinet on December 16, citing irreconcilable differences over the country’s future direction. In her resignation letter, Freeland, once considered a close ally, indicated that stepping down was the “honest and viable path” after weeks of disagreement on Canada’s political course.
“Our country is facing significant challenges,” Freeland wrote, referencing the need to maintain fiscal discipline amid potential economic turmoil. She also alluded to the need to be prepared for a possible trade conflict.
In another blow to Trudeau, Jagmeet Singh, leader of the New Democratic Party, announced plans to bring forward a motion of no confidence on January 27, further signaling the waning support for the prime minister’s leadership.
