Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has officially announced his resignation as leader of the Liberal Party of Canada. However, he will remain in office as Prime Minister until a new leader is selected.
This morning, Trudeau met with Governor General Mary Simon to request the prorogation of Parliament until March 24, 2025. The Governor General has approved the request. Prorogation refers to the suspension of a parliamentary session without dissolving it.
Reports indicate that Trudeau, along with his Chief of Staff Katie Telford, informed staff members at the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) that they did not see a viable path forward for his leadership due to insufficient support from the Liberal caucus.
What happens next after Trudeau’s resignation announcement?
Sources say that Liberal MPs have been invited to a special two-hour virtual briefing this afternoon, where they will discuss the party’s constitution and their role in leadership matters. According to the Liberal Party’s constitution, if a leadership “trigger event” occurs, such as a resignation, a meeting of the national board of directors must take place within 27 days. After consulting with the caucus, the board could appoint an interim leader. The party will also need to decide on a date for the leadership race and determine any restrictions related to it.
Trudeau has led the Liberal Party since 2013 and has served as Prime Minister since 2015.
