Justin Trudeau announced he is resigning as Canada’s prime minister and proroguing Parliament until March.
The prime minister revealed the news on Monday outside Rideau Cottage in Ottawa.
“The country deserves a clear and real choice during the next elections. It has become obvious for me that if I have to focus on internal battles, I cannot be the best option during those elections,” he said to reporters.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is stepping down as leader of the Liberal party. What do you think about his decision? #cdnpoli #nownews #justintrudeau #liberals pic.twitter.com/6GTqcGTWH9
— Now Toronto (@nowtoronto) January 6, 2025
Prior to his resignation, the prime minister revealed he had advised Governor General Mary Simon to prorogue Parliament until March 24.
Trudeau’s announcement follows months of internal party struggles and declining approval ratings, compounded by the recent resignation of Canada’s Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland, who cited differences with the prime minister on key issues.
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WHAT DOES PROROGUING PARLIAMENT MEAN?
Proroguing Parliament temporarily halts all parliamentary proceedings, including debates, committee work, and the passage of legislation.
Assistant Professor Semra Sevi from the University of Toronto’s Department of Political Science explains that while the power to prorogue is held by the prime minister, it must be formalized by the Governor General.
“The prorogation can last anywhere from a few days to several weeks, and it’s often used to reset the government’s agenda or to create a break between sessions,” she told Now Toronto on Monday.
She emphasizes that prorogation differs from dissolution which formally ends a parliamentary session to prepare for a general election. After prorogation, Parliament resumes as if it had been paused, allowing the government to present a fresh policy agenda when it reconvenes.
While Sevi says Trudeau’s decision to prorogue Parliament is not unusual, it does raise questions about its timing and political implications.
“While prorogation is a legitimate tool for a government to reset the legislative agenda, it can be controversial depending on the circumstances. If Trudeau’s move aligns with an attempt to avoid parliamentary scrutiny or delay difficult issues, then it would not be entirely unexpected,” she clarifies.
“If, however, the prorogation is framed as part of a strategic reset, it could signal a desire to refocus public attention or reorganize the government’s priorities,” she continued.
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WHY IS TRUDEAU PROROGUING?
Sevi says Trudeau had little to no choice to prorogue given the struggles he was facing within his party and the decline of his approval ratings.
“Parliament has been paralyzed for months after what has been the longest minority session in the history of our country, which is why this morning, I met with the governor general to let her know that we needed a new parliamentary session,” Trudeau said in a press conference.
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Last month, Freeland resigned from her post as finance minister claiming that she and the prime minister have been at odds when it comes to what’s best for the country.
As a result, Sevi claims Trudeau’s prorogation can be seen as a strategic move to shift the focus and buys time to regroup.
“It allows the government to delay or avoid difficult parliamentary scrutiny, giving them the opportunity to reframe public discussions and to find a new leader for the Liberal Party,” Sevi explained.
WHEN WILL THE LIBERAL PARTY ELECT A NEW LEADER?
Given the impromptu circumstances of Trudeau’s resignation, Sevi believes the Liberal party will expedite the process to find a new leader and predicts a final verdict by the end of prorogation on Mar. 24.
The professor notes that current polls indicate the Liberal Party would likely finish in third place if an election were held today.
“Trudeau’s resignation comes too late for the party to fully rebuild before the next election. It seems they are set to lose, though there’s a possibility they could secure second place and remain the official opposition, depending on who the new leader is and what vision they offer for Canada’s future,” Sevi said.
