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He will remain prime minister until his replacement is chosen.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced Monday morning that he is resigning as leader of the Liberal Party, ending nearly a decade of leadership defined by progressive policies and landmark achievements in LGBTQ+ rights. Trudeau will remain in office as prime minister until the party selects a new leader, setting off a leadership race as Canada prepares for its next federal election. The announcement comes two weeks ahead of President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration.
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In an emotional speech from Rideau Cottage in Ottawa, Trudeau reflected on his tenure and decision to step down. “Every morning I’ve woken up as prime minister, I’ve been inspired by the resilience, the generosity, and the determination of Canadians,” he said. “That is why since 2015, I’ve fought for this country—for you—to strengthen and grow the middle class, to rally and 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.”
Related: Justin Trudeau Sends Bullied Gay Employee a Heartwarming Message of Support
Trudeau shared a personal moment, revealing what he told his family the night before. “Last night over dinner, I told my kids about the decision that I’m sharing with you today. I explained to them that I intend to resign as party leader, as Prime Minister, after the party selects its next leader through a robust, nationwide competitive process,” he said. “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.”
The announcement comes after months of mounting pressure within his party, plummeting approval ratings, and growing frustration among Canadians over economic challenges in the wake of the global COVID-19 pandemic.
During his nine years as prime minister, Trudeau became a global symbol of LGBTQ+ advocacy, pushing Canada to the forefront of equality and inclusion. His government passed Bill C-16, a landmark law that added gender identity and gender expression to the Canadian Human Rights Act and the Criminal Code, protecting transgender and nonbinary Canadians from discrimination and hate crimes.
His administration also introduced a gender-neutral “X” marker on federal identification documents, making Canada a leader in recognizing nonbinary identities. Trudeau was the first sitting Canadian prime minister to march in Pride parades, attending events in Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal, and other cities.
In 2017, he delivered a historic apology to LGBTQ2 Canadians for systemic discrimination, including the federal government’s infamous “gay purge,” which saw thousands of LGBTQ+ individuals dismissed from military and public service roles. The apology came with compensation for survivors and measures to support those affected by these policies. In 2022, Trudeau appeared as a guest on Drag Race Canada.
While his LGBTQ+ record earned widespread praise, critics pointed to gaps in his administration’s efforts. Access to gender-affirming health care remains uneven across provinces, and transphobic violence has continued to rise.
Related: Justin Trudeau Still Has a Lot to Prove on LGBT Rights
Trudeau’s leadership extended beyond LGBTQ+ rights to other progressive milestones. In 2018, his government legalized recreational cannabis, making Canada the second country in the world to implement nationwide legalization.
However, Trudeau’s tenure was not without challenges. The global COVID-19 pandemic and its economic fallout significantly undermined his popularity. While his government was initially praised for swift financial aid and public health measures, Canadians grew frustrated with the pace of recovery, inflation, housing shortages, and high unemployment. Many demanded faster economic progress after the trauma of pandemic lockdowns and restrictions.
According to the BBC, by late 2024, Trudeau’s approval rating had dropped to a historic low of 22 percent. Internal party dissent reached a boiling point with the abrupt resignation of Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland in December, who criticized Trudeau’s leadership and spending policies.
This story is developing...
