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Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau may step down as leader of the governing Liberal Party in the coming days, multiple media reports suggest.
The potential resignation would mark the end of his nine-year tenure as prime minister. Reports indicate Trudeau is deliberating whether to leave before his party’s national caucus meeting on Wednesday to avoid speculation that his departure was forced by his MPs.
Trudeau’s decision follows mounting challenges. Last month, Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland resigned, citing policy disagreements, including how to address Donald Trump’s threats of imposing tariffs on Canadian goods. Trudeau’s popularity has also plummeted, with polls predicting a likely defeat for the Liberal Party in the general election slated for this year.
According to The Globe and Mail, it remains unclear whether Trudeau would immediately vacate his role or remain in office until a successor is chosen. Sources close to the matter emphasized that no final decision has been made.
A change in leadership could spur calls for an early election, even though the next federal vote must occur before October. Whoever succeeds Trudeau will face significant challenges, including leading the Liberals through an election and navigating escalating trade tensions with the United States.
Trudeau first took office in 2015, leading the Liberal Party from third place to a sweeping victory with promises of progressive policies, including welcoming immigration, taxing the wealthy, and combating climate change. However, his tenure has been marred by controversies and a decline in public approval.
Recent polls reveal significant dissatisfaction with his leadership. In September, an Ipsos survey found only 26% of respondents favored Trudeau for prime minister, putting him 19 points behind Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre. Additionally, two-thirds of voters expressed disapproval of his performance.
Poilievre, who became Conservative leader in 2022, has gained support through pledges to reduce taxes, address inflation, and champion individual freedoms. He also backed the Freedom Convoy protests against COVID-19 mandates, which caused significant disruptions in Canadian cities, including Ottawa.
Canada’s next prime minister will also need to address looming threats from the United States, as Donald Trump, set to assume the presidency again, has vowed to impose 25% tariffs on Canadian goods unless stricter border controls are implemented to curb irregular migration and drug trafficking. Freeland cited these challenges in her resignation letter, noting Trudeau’s decision to replace her as the government’s chief economic adviser.
If Trudeau steps down, it will conclude a transformative yet turbulent era in Canadian politics.