Trudeau to step down after a decade as Canadian PM
The Independent|January 07, 2025
The under-pressure leader propelled the Liberals to power in 2015, promising sunny ways’ and a progressive agenda
RACHEL CLUN RHIAN LUBIN
Trudeau to step down after a decade as Canadian PM

Justin Trudeau will step down as prime minister of Canada, after weeks of mounting pressure from within his ruling Liberal Party about how to deal with incoming US president Donald Trump and trade tariffs he has promised.

Speaking outside his residence at Rideau Cottage, Ottawa, yesterday, Mr Trudeau said he had taken time over the holidays to “reflect” with his family.

“Throughout the course of my career, any success I have personally achieved has been because of their support and with their encouragement,” he said. “So last night over dinner, I told my kids about the decision that I’m sharing with you today. I intend to resign as party leader as prime minister after the party selects its next leader through a robust, nationwide, competitive process.”

He cited “internal battles” within the Liberal Party that meant he “cannot be the best option” in the next election.

Mr Trudeau's departure comes as polls show the Liberals could badly lose to the opposition Conservative Party in an election that must be held by late October.

The 53-year-old had been able to fend off Liberal legislators worried about the polls and the loss of safe seats in two special elections, but his government was thrown into chaos last month after his deputy prime minister and minister of finance, Chrystia Freeland, abruptly resigned from the cabinet, just hours before she was set to deliver the country’s first economic update since the US election.

This story is from the January 07, 2025 edition of The Independent.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the January 07, 2025 edition of The Independent.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM THE INDEPENDENTView All
Kyrgios to return but keeps focus on Sinner and Swiatek
The Independent

Kyrgios to return but keeps focus on Sinner and Swiatek

Nick Kyrgios just wants to speak his truth, man. He does, after all, have his own podcast to go along with his blue tick on X/Twitter, where he is not afraid to add a hot take or two to the big topics. It's hardly a new development.

time-read
3 mins  |
January 08, 2025
Slot eyes strong second half as Reds dream of quadruple
The Independent

Slot eyes strong second half as Reds dream of quadruple

Arne Slot did not use the word, though Jurgen Klopp became quite familiar with it.

time-read
3 mins  |
January 08, 2025
Isak stars as Newcastle expose Arsenal's failings
The Independent

Isak stars as Newcastle expose Arsenal's failings

A night that was about whether you could take your chances; for goals, and maybe for finals.

time-read
3 mins  |
January 08, 2025
Britons splurge £13bn on festive fun – but inflation may leave a nasty hangover
The Independent

Britons splurge £13bn on festive fun – but inflation may leave a nasty hangover

UK retail outlet Next has posted another rise in sales ahead of expectations over the Christmas period, but warned that a price increase is on the cards for 2025 as it looks to overcome raised costs following last year's Budget.

time-read
3 mins  |
January 08, 2025
Next posts rise in sales but warns of difficult year ahead
The Independent

Next posts rise in sales but warns of difficult year ahead

UK retail outlet Next has posted another rise in sales ahead of expectations over the Christmas period, but warned that a price increase is on the cards for 2025 as it looks to overcome raised costs following last year's Budget.

time-read
2 mins  |
January 08, 2025
Carney failed to stop Brexit but hopes to save Canada
The Independent

Carney failed to stop Brexit but hopes to save Canada

Mark Carney may enter the race to succeed Justin Trudeau as leader of Canada's Liberal Party.

time-read
3 mins  |
January 08, 2025
Trump fails to rule out use of force to take Greenland
The Independent

Trump fails to rule out use of force to take Greenland

US president-elect Donald Trump has refused to rule out using military or economic action to pursue acquisition of the Panama Canal and Greenland.

time-read
3 mins  |
January 08, 2025
At least 126 dead in Tibet after powerful earthquake
The Independent

At least 126 dead in Tibet after powerful earthquake

A powerful 7.1-magnitude earthquake struck the foothills of the Himalayas yesterday near one of Tibet’s holiest cities, killing at least 126 people and flattening hundreds of houses and causing tremors felt in Nepal, Bhutan and India.

time-read
2 mins  |
January 08, 2025
Far-right firebrand's ghost will loom large over Europe
The Independent

Far-right firebrand's ghost will loom large over Europe

The death of Jean-Marie Le Pen should give us a moment to ponder the long march of the French far right and the rise to power of fascistic parties across Europe.

time-read
3 mins  |
January 08, 2025
French far-right political leader Le Pen dies at 96
The Independent

French far-right political leader Le Pen dies at 96

Unrepentant bigot and Holocaust denier Jean-Marie Le Pen founded the National Front and fought for populist policies

time-read
4 mins  |
January 08, 2025