Trudeau to resign as Canadian prime minister

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Monday said he was resigning from office following lawmakers’ calls for him to step down. Trudeau also plans to resign as party leader. He will remain in office until his party, the Liberal Party, appoints a new leader to take his place. Trudeau intends to dissolve parliament. A new session would begin in March, he said.

Why were people calling for his resignation? Trudeau has become unpopular among Canadians for a variety of reasons including the high cost of food and housing. He recently faced criticism in parliament after a prominent cabinet member of his resigned. Trudeau last month acknowledged national difficulties while asking for Canadians to bear with him as he continued to implement his agenda.

What did Trudeau say in his remarks Monday? During his nine years in office he’d done what he could to fight for Canada, he told reporters at a news conference. He described efforts to defend free trade in North America, fight climate change, and support Ukraine in its war with Russia. He had also tried to strengthen and expand the middle class, he said.

Over the holidays he reflected on the road ahead, and he shared his decision to resign with his children Sunday night, the prime minister said. On Sunday night he also asked the Liberal Party’s president to begin the process of selecting his replacement, Trudeau said.

Dig deeper: Read Craig A. Carter’s column in WORLD Opinions about whether Canada will be able to survive Trudeau’s stint in office.