Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announces resignation

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who has led the country for more than nine years, has announced his resignation. ITV News Correspondent Rachel Younger explains why.

Justin Trudeau has announced he will step down as Canadian Prime Minister and leader of the Liberal Party after intensifying pressure for him to resign.

Speaking at a news conference outside his residence in Ottawa on Monday, Mr Trudeau said it had become clear to him that he cannot "be the leader during the next elections due to internal battles."

He will remain on as prime minister until the party selects a new leader.

"I don't easily back down faced with a fight, especially a very important one for our party and the country," he said.

"But I do this because the interests of Canadians and the wellbeing of democracy is something that I hold dear."

Trudeau said parliament had been "entirely seized" by what he called obstruction and a lack of productivity.

He said he told his family of his decision at dinner on Sunday night.

His announcement comes ahead of a general election later this year, which his party was widely expected to lose.

He also confirmed that he had spoken to Mary Simon, the Canadian governor general, this morning, and asked her to prorogue parliament.

Trudeau had led the Liberal Party for 11 years and been prime minister since 2015.

However, but his popularity had plummeted in recent years because of soaring food costs, a housing crisis, the threat of tariffs from the incoming Trump administration and high profile ministerial resignations.

In December, Trudeau’s government was rocked by the surprise resignation of Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland - just hours before she was due to deliver her annual fiscal update.

In her letter of resignation, she criticised Trudeau’s “political gimmicks,” seen as a reference to a two-month sales tax holiday and a 250 Canadian dollar (£140) rebate for most workers.

Freeland said Canada could “ill afford” these policies, which were seen as a pre-election handout to win back some voters and came as the country faces the prospect of huge tariffs on exports to the United States.

President-elect Donald Trump has said he will sign an executive order imposing a 25% tariff on all products coming into the US from Canada.

Trump has also criticised Trudeau and Canada on social media, referring to the prime minister as the “governor” of the “Great State of Canada.”

All three main opposition parties have said they plan to topple Trudeau's Liberal Party in a no-confidence vote when Parliament resumes.

“The Liberal Party of Canada is an important institution in the history of our great country and democracy. A new prime minister and leader of the Liberal Party will carry its values and ideals into that next election,” Trudeau said. “I am excited to see that process unfold in the months ahead.”

Trudeau took the Liberals to power in 2015, promising “sunny ways” for Canada.

He championed progressive issues like combating climate change and addressing historic abuses against Indigenous peoples, but the latter years of his premiership have been marked by rising economic discontent.

Trudeau was elected three times, most recently in 2021, when he remained in power but lost his governing majority.

Since then, Poilievre’s Conservative Party has built a lead over the Liberal Party of more than 20% in national polling averages.

Poilievre has recently found a following with some in Trump’s base, including Elon Musk, the world’s richest man and owner of X.

Late last year, Musk called Trudeau “an insufferable tool,” adding that Trudeau “won’t be in power for much longer.”

When asked at the news conference whether he thought Mr Poilievre was the right candidate to lead Canada next, Trudeau said he had "a very small vision" for the country, describing him as "stopping the fight against climate change", backing off on "strength in diversity", and "attacking journalists".

Ending the news conference, Trudeau said: "It's time for a reset, for the temperature to come down".

He added that his resignation provided the opportunity for the country to do that, and urged Canadian politicians to reflect on this.

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