Justin Trudeau will resign as leader of the federal Liberals and Prime Minister once a new party leader is selected.
Trudeau met with Governor General Mary Simon Monday (Jan. 6) morning, where he asked for Parliament to be prorogued until March 24.
That request has been granted.
“This country deserves a real choice in the next election and it has become clear to me if I am having to fight internal battles, I can not be the best option,” Trudeau said a press conference this morning.
“I’ve fought for this country. For you,” Trudeau says. “To strengthen and grow the middle class, why we rallied to support each other through the pandemic, to advance reconciliation, to defend free trade on this continent, to stand strong with Ukraine and our democracy, and to fight climate change and get our economy ready for the future. We are at a critical moment in the world.”
A number of MPs across Canada had asked Trudeau to step down, and the Liberal party have plummeted in the polls behind the Conservatives.
Prorogation will effectively grind the government to a halt but it will also allow the Liberals more time for a potential leadership race.
Trudeau has been Liberal leader since 2013 and prime minister since 2015.
The House of Commons was set to resume Jan. 27, amid the threat of impending opposition party non-confidence motions.
The Liberals have begun preparations for a leadership convention.
