Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is expected to announce his resignation this week, possibly as early as Monday, though he may continue in his role until the summer while the Liberal Party selects a new leader. Trudeau’s decision is anticipated ahead of the party’s national caucus meeting scheduled for Wednesday.
According to the Globe and Mail, Trudeau could make the announcement as soon as Monday. He is expected to remain in office during the leadership transition, which could take at least four months. A Liberal Party official mentioned that Trudeau might aim to host the G7 leaders’ summit in mid-June at Kananaskis, Alberta.
Facing potential no-confidence motions when Parliament resumes on January 27, Trudeau might consider proroguing Parliament to allow sufficient time for the leadership contest. Over half of the 153 Liberal MPs in the House of Commons have reportedly called for his resignation, with that number possibly nearing 100.
Trudeau returned to Ottawa on Friday after a skiing vacation in British Columbia, having taken time to “reflect” on his options. His only public appearance was at the U.S. Embassy to sign a condolence book for the late American President Jimmy Carter. His Monday itinerary includes a virtual Cabinet Committee meeting on Canada-US Relations, with no other engagements listed.
Liberal MPs are exploring options, including appointing an interim leader, which could accelerate Trudeau’s departure. Recent polls show the Conservatives leading the Liberals by over 20%. A survey by the Angus Reid Institute (ARI) suggests former Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland could be the best candidate to challenge the Conservatives, despite her resignation on December 16 sparking the current crisis.
ARI data indicates that Freeland could boost Liberal support from 16% under Trudeau to over 20%. Other potential leaders, such as former Bank of Canada Governor Mark Carney, Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly, Finance Minister Dominic LeBlanc, Innovation Minister François-Philippe Champagne, and Transport Minister Anita Anand, show limited positive impact. Additionally, former British Columbia Premier Christy Clark is considered a potential contender outside the Trudeau government.
