On January 6, Canadian media "The Globe and Mail" reported, citing sources, that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau might announce his resignation as the leader of the Liberal Party as early as that day. This news comes as the Canadian political scene is already in turmoil due to high inflation, a housing crisis, and a steady decline in support for the Liberal Party.
The reports suggest that Trudeau might announce his resignation before the Liberal Party's national caucus meeting on January 8, though it remains unclear whether he will step down immediately or remain as Prime Minister until a new leader is chosen. Since taking over as the leader of the Liberal Party in 2013, Trudeau has held leadership for over a decade, but recent internal and external pressures have made his political future precarious.
According to polling data, support for Trudeau's Liberal Party continues to decline, and they are expected to lose to the Conservative Party in the federal election in October. Voter dissatisfaction with high prices and housing issues has heightened skepticism of Trudeau's economic policies. Last month, the sudden resignation of Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Freeland further divided the Liberal Party. In her resignation letter, Freeland openly criticized Trudeau's economic policies, accelerating frustrations with his leadership within the party.
Meanwhile, US-Canada bilateral relations are entering a tense period. The soon-to-be-inaugurated US President Trump has repeatedly threatened to impose a 25% tariff on Canadian imports and accused Canada of being a major source of illegal drugs entering the US. Although Trudeau made efforts to persuade Trump to abandon his tariff plans during a visit to Mar-a-Lago, he was unsuccessful. Trump has frequently mocked Trudeau, calling him the "Governor of Canada," and even suggested annexing Canada, sparking discontent in Canadian politics.
If Trudeau resigns, analysts believe it could trigger calls for an early election to establish a government capable of more effectively addressing domestic and international challenges, particularly in protecting Canadian interests under pressure from the Trump administration. With the Liberal Party's internal support continuing to fall, party members are persistently pressuring for a change in leadership, making Trudeau's resignation seem imminent, though the specific timing and manner remain to be seen.
Trudeau's departure will open a new chapter in Canadian politics, but whether it will achieve more stable leadership and stronger international standing is yet to be seen.
