TRANSCRIPT
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says he plans to step down once the Liberal Party has chosen a successor, citing rising discontent with his leadership and the abrupt resignation of his finance minister.
A visibly emotional Trudeau described himself as "a fighter" but admitted he was not the right leader to take the party into the next election, given what he calls obvious internal battles.
"As you all know, I am a fighter and I am not someone who backs away from a fight, particularly when a fight is as important as this one is. But I have always been driven by my love for Canada, by my desire to serve Canadians and by what is in the best interests of Canadians. And Canadians deserve a real choice in the next election. And it has become obvious to me with the internal battles that I cannot be the one to carry the liberal standard into the next election."
Mr Trudeau says Parliament has been completely paralysed by obstruction and a lack of productivity.
"Parliament has been entirely seized by obstruction and filibustering and a total lack of productivity over the past few months. We are right now the longest serving minority government in history, and it's time for a reset. It's time for the temperature to come down, for the people to have a fresh start in parliament, to be able to navigate through these complex times, both domestically and internationally."
Mr Trudeau suggests that stepping down as leader could reduce political polarisation in Parliament, allowing it to focus on serving Canadians more effectively.
"And the reset that we have is actually two parts. One is the prorogation, but the other part is recognising that removing me from the equation as the leader who will fight the next election for the Liberal Party should also decrease the level of polarisation that we're seeing right now in the House and in Canadian politics and allow people to actually focus on serving Canadians in this House and with their work the way Canadians deserve."
He also shared his thoughts on opposition Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre.
"Pierre Poilievre's vision for this country is not the right one for Canadians. Stopping the fight against climate change doesn't make sense. Backing off on the values and strength in diversity that Canada has always, always worked to pull itself together on is not the right path for the country. Attacking journalists, the CBC institutions, that's not what Canadians need in this moment. We need an ambitious, optimistic view of the future and Pierre Poilievre is not offering that."
Mr Trudeau announced that Parliament, originally set to resume on the 27th of January, would now be suspended until the 24th of March to allow time for a Liberal Party leadership race.
All three main opposition parties plan to bring a no-confidence vote when Parliament reconvenes, making a spring election under new Liberal leadership highly likely.
Mr Trudeau will still be prime minister when US President-elect Donald Trump - who has threatened tariffs that would cripple Canada's economy - takes office on the 20th of January.
Upon learning of Mr Trudeau's resignation, Mr Trump, on his Truth Social account, took the opportunity to troll Mr Trudeau and Canada.
"Many people in Canada LOVE being the 51st State. The United States can no longer suffer the massive Trade Deficits and Subsidies that Canada needs to stay afloat. Justin Trudeau knew this, and resigned. If Canada merged with the U-S, there would be no Tariffs, taxes would go way down, and they would be TOTALLY SECURE from the threat of the Russian and Chinese Ships that are constantly surrounding them. Together, what a great Nation it would be!!!"
Reactions in Canada to Mr Trudeau's resignation vary widely.
Opposition leaders Pierre Poilievre and Jagmeet Singh criticised his tenure, with Mr Poilievre claiming "nothing has changed" and Mr Singh accusing the Liberals of failing Canadians.
Meanwhile, potential successors Mark Carney and Christy Clark praised Mr Trudeau's leadership and service.
As did Ontario Liberal MP Rob Oliphant who appeared on Canada's CBC shortly after Mr Trudeau's resignation announcement.
"Today is Justin Trudeau's day, to celebrate and thank what he's done. And, and to reflect very quickly on the leadership process, and I'm looking forward to a great campaign where people engage ideas and thoughts and and an agenda for the future for Canada."
Mr Oliphant says the upcoming election will give Canadians the opportunity to choose a leader that aligns with Canadian values, suggesting that the Liberal Party represents these values.
"I would hope that within, in 60 days or so, we would have a new leader that would be my goal. And I think then we have a chance to have a throne speech. We have a chance to have a budget, and we have a chance to have an election platform so that Canadians can choose a leader that represents that both the breadth and the depth of Canadian values. I think that will always be the Liberal Party. I think the reality is that the Conservatives are a far right party. I don't think Canada will elect a new Democratic Party. So they're hungry for a Liberal leader that they can vote for."
