'I am a fighter but I quit': Justin Trudeau resigns as Canada's PM following cabinet revolt

6 January 2025, 16:04 | Updated: 6 January 2025, 16:34

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has resigned amid mounting pressure from within his governing Liberal Party.

Mr Trudeau - who has become deeply unpopular over a range of issues, including the soaring cost of food and housing - has kept publicly quiet in recent weeks, despite intensifying pressure for him to step down after the abrupt resignation of his finance minister on December 16.

Initially hailed as a fresh new face in Canadian politics when he took office in 2015, he has become widely unpopular in recent years.

Speaking in Ottawa on Monday, the 53-year-old confirmed he would be leaving office after his party decides on a new leader.

"Over the holidays. I've also had a chance to reflect and have had long talks with my family about our future," he said.

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"I intend to resign as party leader as prime minister, after the party selects its next leader through a robust nationwide competitive process.

"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.

"It is the driving force of every single day I have the privilege of serving in this office."

Because Mr Trudeau's Liberals do not hold an outright majority in Parliament, they have for years depended on the support of the NDP to pass legislation and stay in power.

But that support has vanished - NDP leader Jagmeet Singh made clear last month the NDP will vote to bring down the government. The other opposition parties have said the same.

Mr Trudeau promised to give Canadians a "real choice" when the upcoming election takes place in October.

The "world needs Canada," he went on.

"We need an ambitious, optimistic view of the future and Pierre Poilievre is not offering that," Mr Trudeau said.

"I look forward to the fight as progressives stand up for the vision of a better country despite the pressures around the world to think smaller and veer towards the hard right and be less ambitious when the world really needs Canada."

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