Canadian Prime Minister Trudeau expected to resign amid Liberal Party turmoil

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is expected to announce his resignation as Liberal Party leader as early as January 6, according to three anonymous sources. 

The anticipated decision comes as Trudeau faces mounting pressure from his caucus and dismal public opinion polls suggesting his party could lose decisively to Pierre Poilievre’s Conservatives, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

While the exact timing of his announcement remains uncertain, sources indicate it will likely occur before a critical national caucus meeting on Wednesday. This would allow Trudeau to present his decision as voluntary rather than a forced exit by Liberal MPs.

The party's national executive is preparing for the leadership transition, with discussions centred on whether Trudeau will stay on as Prime Minister until a new leader is chosen. An interim leader could be appointed, or a shortened leadership contest may be held, though both options have complexities.

Finance Minister Dominic LeBlanc has been floated as a potential interim leader, but his possible candidacy for the leadership could complicate matters. A leadership race, which typically requires four months under party rules, could face further delays if Parliament needs to be prorogued—a decision that rests with Governor-General Mary Simon.

The Liberal Party is grappling with internal divisions, particularly in the wake of Chrystia Freeland’s resignation as finance minister and deputy prime minister on December 16. Her abrupt departure has fueled calls for Trudeau’s resignation, with regional caucuses in Atlantic Canada, Ontario, and Quebec—representing the bulk of the Liberals’ 153 seats—signalling dwindling support for his leadership.

Sources close to Trudeau suggest his decision to step down is driven by the realization that the caucus is no longer behind him, rather than a personal belief that he is unfit to lead. Polls over the past year show a significant Conservative lead, with an Angus Reid survey indicating only 13% voter support for the Liberals under Trudeau. However, the same survey suggests that support could rise to 21% under a new leader, with Freeland seen as the most favourable contender.

Potential leadership candidates include Dominic LeBlanc, Chrystia Freeland, Mélanie Joly, François-Philippe Champagne, Sean Fraser, Anita Anand, former B.C. Premier Christy Clark, and former central banker Mark Carney.

The Liberal Party faces a critical crossroads, with decisions on its future leadership set to influence its chances in the next federal election and its ability to counter challenges such as potential tariffs from an incoming Trump administration in the U.S.

By Vugar Khalilov