Trudeau steps down as Prime Minister

Justin Trudeau will be resigning as leader of the federal Liberals and Prime Minister once a new party leader is selected.

Trudeau met with Governor General Mary Simon Monday morning, where he asked for Parliament to be prorogued until March 24.

That request has been granted.

“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,” says Trudeau.

He has been Liberal leader since 2013 and prime minister since 2015.

“I’ve fought for this country. For you,” Trudeau says.

“To strengthen and grow the middle class, why we rallied to 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 get our economy ready for the future. We are at a critical moment in the world.”

The House of Commons was set to resume Jan. 27, amid the threat of impending opposition party non-confidence motions.

Trudeau has asked the president of the Liberal Party to begin the process of selecting a new leader, through what he calls a ‘robust, nationwide, competitive process.’

In addition, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre issued the following statement on Trudeau’s resignation:

“Canadians desperate to turn the page on this dark chapter in our history might be relieved today that Justin Trudeau is finally leaving

“But what has really changed?

“Every Liberal MP in power today and every potential Liberal leadership contender fighting for the top job helped Justin Trudeau break the country over the last 9 years. All Liberal politicians actively worked to pass into law the job-killing, inflationary carbon tax—a tax that Carbon Tax Carney endorsed in his book.

All supported a law quadrupling the tax over the next 5 years.

All voted for or actively supported Trudeau’s out-of-control spending, debt and immigration.

All passed Trudeau’s housing policies that doubled the cost of homes.

All Liberal politicians helped pass catch-and-release bail and house arrest for the most rampant reoffenders, policies that increased violent crime 50%, gun crime 116% and hate crime by 250%.

“So, given that Liberal MPs and leadership contenders unanimously supported everything Trudeau has done, why dump him now, right before an election?

“Have they had a change of heart?

“Is it because they feel guilty that they doubled housing costs, hiked taxes, unleashed crime, broke immigration, forced a quarter of the population into poverty? No. They continued supporting Trudeau when he did all those things.

“No. Their only objection is that he is no longer popular enough to win an election and keep them in power. They want to protect their pensions and paycheques by sweeping their hated leader under the rug months before an election to trick you, and then do it all over again.

“Now, while leaderless Liberals focus on saving their jobs and fighting each other for power—the country spirals out of control—an out-of-control housing emergency, an out-of-control migrant crisis, an out-of-control $62 billion deficit, not to mention tariff threats from the United States, oh, and another NDP-Liberal carbon tax hike kicks in this April 1st … everything is out of control… and now, the government is out-of-control.
“The Liberals know how wrong this all is, that’s exactly why they shut down Parliament and paralyze government, all to save their own skins.

“This cannot go on. We need a carbon tax election now, to choose between:

The NDP-Liberal costly coalition that taxes your food, punishes your work, doubles your housing costs and unleashes crime and drugs in your community.

OR

Common Sense Conservatives who will axe the tax, build the homes, fix the budget and stop the crime.

“Canadians can take back control of their lives and their country. Take back control of our border, take back control of immigration, take back control of spending, deficits and inflation. Take back control of our streets by locking up criminals, banning drugs, treating addiction and stopping gun smugglers. We’ll cap spending, axe taxes, reward work, build homes, uphold family, stop crime, secure borders, rearm our forces, restore our freedom and put Canada First.

“All with one mission: to bring home Canada’s promise that every hardworking Canadian gets a powerful paycheque and pension that buys affordable food and homes on safe streets; where all are united for the country we know and love: Canada first, Canada last, Canada always.

“Let’s bring it home.”

– with files from Richard Coffin and Vista Radio newswire