Opposition parties pledge to defeat Liberal confidence motion shortly after Parliament returns, which would trigger election
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau arrives to make an announcement on his political future outside his residence at Rideau Cottage in Ottawa, on Monday, Jan. 6, 2025. Justin Tang/The Globe and Mailannounced Monday morning he will step down as Liberal Leader and Prime Minister after the party elects a new leader. Parliament will be prorogued until March 24 to give the Liberals time to conduct a leadership race.
And the party has not yet said how it will deal with a three-month nomination period that would be incompatible with a short race, or a membership cut-off that would leave little time for candidates to recruit supporters.Twenty-six government bills – including one designed to make voting easier in a general election – have been stopped in their tracks with the halting of Parliament.
The arrival of a protectionist U.S. president comes as Canada’s governing Liberal Party is in turmoil. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced his resignation as Liberal Leader Monday and said he would remain in power, stickhandling relations with the incoming Trump administration, until a leadership contest picks his successor.
But he left that all too late. Mr. Trudeau couldn’t see the scorched earth around him till the flames were up around his nose.For the good of his country, his government and his party, he should have gone last spring. Or, better yet, the year before. Or even last fall. Last fall, his best-before date was long past, but there was still time to make arrangements to pick up some fresh cartons of Liberal milk before the end of 2024.
“We’ve been using a ‘relate before you negotiate’ mentality with our conversations here in the U.S.,” Mr. Kinew said. He joked that if Mr. Poilievre is elected, “using that ‘relate before you negotiate’ idea, perhaps I’ll invite him out for a steak. We’ve got some good steakhouses in Winnipeg and across Manitoba.”The federal government’s economic agenda has been mired in uncertainty and gridlocked in Parliament.
Votes on spending items such as supply are considered automatic confidence votes, meaning a government defeat would trigger a federal election. “In the interim, I would hope that we have some stability in the voices that are at the table,” she told reporters Monday. “Dominic LeBlanc has now been down to Mar-a-Lago, he has continued his relationships with the individuals he met there, he has an established relationship with all of the premiers. And so having at least that continuity in the interim, I would hope we would be able to see.”
Mr. Trudeau has long served as one of Ms. Smith’s political foils, and the pair have clashed on everything from carbon emissions to transgender rights. Ms. Smith has been particularly critical of the Liberals for wading into areas that she argues are under provincial jurisdiction.PEI Premier Dennis King says Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has guided “the nation through some of the most challenging times in our country’s history” over the past nine years.
But he also said the Prime Minister’s imminent departure creates uncertainty and undermines Canada’s position in talks with the incoming administration – meaning the premiers need to take more of a leadership role. “You know something, to the president, I’ll make him a counteroffer. How about if we buy Alaska? And we’ll throw in Minnesota and Minneapolis at the same time. So, you know, it’s just not realistic. I know he likes making these comments and he likes joking around. I take that seriously. He may be joking, but under my watch, that will never, ever happen.
At a nearby dog park, Isabelle Chicoine says she had voted for Trudeau in the past, but says he has lost the public’s confidence. And for the next several months, at least, we will just have to sit tight before anyone does anything about it – not because the Prime Minister is going, but because, as he also announced, he is staying, pending the election of a new leader.
The American leader also once again made a pitch for Canada to enter a political union with the United States, insisting many Canadians would support it. Mr. Houston added that pressing issues such as housing and president-elect Donald Trump’s tariff threats need continued focus and attention.New Brunswick Premier Susan Holt thanked Prime Minister Justin Trudeau for his years of public service and dedication to Canada in a statement to The Globe.
“I always vowed I wouldn’t mix it with my successor now that I’m out of the game and I should stick to my word,” he said in response to a request for further comment. After his run in Canadian politics, Mr. Ignatieff held senior academic positions in the United States before serving, between 2016 and 2021, as rector of the Central European University in Budapest.The National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations hailed Mr. Trudeau for doing “more to help improve the quality of life for First Nations than any Prime Minister in the history of this country” during his tenure.
“It’s clear that Canadians are rejecting divisive, ideological leadership and are demanding a return to common-sense government – one that puts the priorities of everyday people ahead of out-of-touch policies,” John Rustad, leader of the BC Conservatives, said in a statement. “At this critical time, Canadians need and deserve a prime minister and federal government with a clear mandate won from the Canadian people to negotiate with the incoming U.S. president and his administration on one of the most important international negotiations we have ever faced as a country,” she said.
He said “a general reset toward economic issues, toward bread and butter issues for families, the cost of living and inflation and the way the economy functions” needs to happen, alongside priorities such as environmental protection.Here’s what market strategists and economists are saying so far about the economic and market impact of Mr. Trudeau’s decision today:
Mr. Maggi, president and CEO of Mainstreet Research, said the Prime Minister was seen as toxic by some voters who may now consider voting Liberal. But he said changing leaders is unlikely to improve their chances of winning the next election. I thank Justin Trudeau for his years of service to Canada and Canadians. I wish him and his family the very best.Meanwhile, former cabinet minister Jane Philpott described “an emotional day,” saying anyone who has served Canada as a head of government deserves thanks and respect.
In her own posting today, Ms. Wilson-Raybould said Mr. Trudeau did not sound like he wanted to go, and was “sadly” not too gracious.She said she hoped for continued efforts to build a stronger Canada, and an elevation in Canadian discourse beyond “petty, toxic partisanship,” and developing sound policy.
“Will he commit to our fixed election date and disavow any plans to seek power for power’s sake rather than focusing on the Ontario economy and what real people actually need?” Ms. Crombie said. “This is a time for stability, not political posturing. I hope Doug Ford meant what he said.” Mr. Ford has been outspoken about the issue for weeks and on Monday warned the potential tariffs would devastate Canada’s economy and constitute a significant failure of the federal government.
“My friends, as you all know, I’m a fighter. Every bone in my body has all 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. And the fact is, 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.
Mr. Trudeau’s Liberals won a majority government in 2015, vaulting to power from a third-place ranking in the Commons. In the 2019 and 2021 elections, the party won minority governments. Mr. Blanchet said someone has to have a mandate to deal with U.S. president-elect Donald Trump, who is set to be inaugurated on Jan. 20.
“The problem is not just Justin Trudeau. It’s every minister that’s been calling the shots. It’s every Liberal MP that looked down their nose at Canadians who are worried about high costs or crumbling health care,” Mr. Singh said in a statement.Mr. Singh said he has been a fighter and that “a working-class movement of fighters is growing all around me,” that will take on the Conservatives.
But he said it is “unfortunate” that the federal government and private sector was “often at odds, especially around the need for fiscal responsibility and policies that enable long-term economic growth, including embracing our energy abundance.” Mr. Trudeau defended his record since 2015, saying he helped reduce poverty, advanced reconciliation with Indigenous people, fought for free trade on the North American continent and worked to combat climate change and supported Ukraine in its war with Russia.Justin Trudeau has made it official that he intends to resign but stay on as Prime Minister until a new Liberal leadership is selected.
Appwebview Aud-Growth Aud-Url Yesapplenews
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Chrystia Freeland pegged by some Liberal MPs as Justin Trudeau's successor if he resignsDeputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland speaks to media prior to delivering Budget 2024 on Tuesday, April 16 in Ottawa.
Read more »
Ontario Liberal MPs want Justin Trudeau to step down: sourcesPrime Minister Justin Trudeau speaks during a Laurier Club Holiday Party event in Gatineau, Que., on Monday, Dec. 16, 2024.
Read more »
Justin Trudeau Resigns as Liberal LeaderAfter almost a decade leading the Liberal Party, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is stepping down. The timeline highlights his journey from MP to Prime Minister, including key moments that shaped his political career.
Read more »
BREAKING: Justin Trudeau announces he will resign after Liberal leadership raceThe prime minister made the announcement at Rideau Cottage in Ottawa Monday morning
Read more »
Justin Trudeau Resigns as Liberal Leader After Nearly Decade in PowerPrime Minister Justin Trudeau is stepping down as Liberal leader after almost a decade at the helm of the party. The news comes after a series of events that ultimately led to Trudeau's decision. This timeline highlights key moments in Trudeau's political journey, from his initial election as an MP to his rise to Prime Minister and the factors that contributed to his resignation.
Read more »
Justin Trudeau stepping down as Liberal leader, to stay on as PM for nowPrime Minister Justin Trudeau is stepping down as Liberal leader, and is proroguing Parliament as the Liberal Party of Canada embarks on the journey to replace him.
Read more »