Justin Trudeau is stepping down as leader of the Liberal Party of Canada.
Trudeau announced his resignation on the steps of Rideau Cottage this morning, saying he will stay on as Prime Minister until after a party leadership race can be held.
“Despite best efforts to work through it, Parliament has been paralyzed for months after what has been the longest session of a minority parliament in Canadian history,” Trudeau said during the news conference. “This morning, I advised the Governor General that we need a new session of parliament.”
Trudeau met with Governor General Mary Simon earlier today and asked that Parliament be prorogued until March 24.
Trudeau says the prorogation gives Parliament time for a reset and removes him from the equation to decrease the level of polarization in the House of Commons.
Speculation has been running rampant for the last three weeks about a potential change in leadership following the resignation of former Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland.
Trudeau would not comment on the details surrounding Freeland’s departure from government, saying he is not in the habit of sharing private conversations.
Trudeau took over leadership of the Liberal Party in 2013, and was elected Prime Minister two years later with a majority government. The Liberal government was limited to minority status in both the 2019 and 2021 elections.
