Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is stepping down.
The 53-year-old politician made the announcement in a conference outside his Rideau Cottage on Monday (January 6) in Ottawa, Canada.
In the announcement, he said that there will be new Liberal Party leadership elections and parliament will be prorogued until March 24, and that he advised the Canadian governor general this morning of his decision, via Deadline.
“Despite the best efforts to work through it, parliament has been paralyzed for months after what has been the longest session of minority parliament in Canadian history,” he said.
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“This country deserves real choice in the next election and it has become clear to me that if I have to fight internal battles I cannot be the best option in that election,” he went on to say of his decision.
Trudeau is one of the longest-serving Canadian prime ministers in history.
In 2019, he lost his majority and was reduced to a minority government, which became a confidence and supply agreement with the New Democratic Party in 2022. He also faced three investigations by the ethics commissioner, lessening public trust.
His finance minster, Chrystia Freeland, resigned last month.
President-elect Donald Trump said he would impose a 25% tariff on Canadian goods if the country does not secure its shared border to the flow of irregular migrants and illegal drugs.
Trudeau said in the news conference he’s “excited to see the process unfold in the months ahead” and that he will “always be motivated by what is in the best interest of Canadians.”
“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,” he went on to say.
He was voted into the position in late 2015. Watch the conference…
