He stayed too long' Star power not enough as economy stumbled

He swept into parliament at the helm of a surprise majority, promising change, hope and "sunny ways," as he charmed Canadians and much of the world with a brand that sought to embrace feminism, welcome refugees and reset Canada's relationship with Indigenous peoples.

- Ashifa Kassam, Leyland Cecco

Nearly 10 years later, however, Justin Trudeau's political career has come to a halt, with the 53-year-old yesterday announcing his decision to step down.

"Last night over dinner, I told my kids about the decision I'm sharing with you today," he said, adding that while he was a "fighter" he saw no path forward. "This country deserves a real choice in the next election, and it has become clear to me that if I'm having to fight internal battles, I cannot be the best option in that election."

Trudeau said he would remain as PM until a new leader is chosen. He also made the decisions to request a prorogation of parliament, buying his ailing Liberal party precious months to avoid disaster when an election is called.

In the end, his boyish charisma was not enough to reassure Canadians facing huge jumps in housing and grocery prices, and the prospect of huge tariffs imposed by the US, Canada's main trading partner.

The decision capped off a stunning, years-long turn of fortune for Trudeau, a former high school teacher and the eldest son of Pierre Trudeau, one of Canada's best-known prime ministers.

For months he had fended off calls to resign, insisting he would stay on even as a swelling chorus of his own party members urged him to go and after Chrystia Freeland, one of his most loyal ministers, delivered a scathing blow as she announced her own resignation.

The questions over his future sharpened after Jagmeet Singh, the leader of the New Democratic party (NDP), recently vowed to present a parliamentary motion to topple Trudeau's government.