Close X
Thursday, January 9, 2025
ADVT 
National

Trudeau prorogues Parliament, will step down as prime minister after leadership race

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 06 Jan, 2025 10:42 AM
  • Trudeau prorogues Parliament, will step down as prime minister after leadership race

Justin Trudeau said he will resign as prime minister and leader of the Liberal party following a leadership contest, after months of growing calls from within the Liberal caucus that he step down for the good of his party.

A teary-eyed Trudeau told reporters outside Rideau Cottage, his official residence in Ottawa, on Monday that he reflected on his political future over the holidays and told his kids Sunday evening over dinner that he has decided it's time for him to move on.

Trudeau said Canadians know him as a fighter, but they deserve a "real choice in the next election," which will take place later this year.

"It has become clear to me that if I’m having to fight internal battles, I cannot be the best option in that election," he said.

It's the first time the prime minister has taken questions from media since his finance minister suddenly resigned in December. 

Questions about Trudeau's future have swirled for more than a year amid slumping poll numbers, but took on new levels after Chrystia Freeland stepped down as minister of finance and deputy prime minister, sending shock waves through the government and the Liberal party.

Trudeau said he met with Gov. Gen. Mary Simon on Monday morning and that she has agreed to his request to prorogue Parliament until March 24. 

Trudeau said the House of Commons has been paralyzed for months and needs a reset. Proroguing Parliament will put the legislature on pause for months and wipe clear the current slate of legislation, but it will not trigger an election.

In the meantime, Trudeau said he has asked Liberal party president Sachit Mehra Sunday night to immediately launch a leadership race ahead of the next election.

The election is scheduled for fall this year, but an earlier vote appears likely.

MORE National ARTICLES

Governor General urges Canadians to care for their mental, physical health

Governor General urges Canadians to care for their mental, physical health
Gov. Gen. Mary Simon is urging Canadians to treat their mental health with the same care as their physical health as they prepare for the year ahead. In a new year's message, Simon says she is thinking of all the inspiring people she met in 2024.

Governor General urges Canadians to care for their mental, physical health

B.C. police find 'ghost gun' in car after driver said she couldn't remember name

B.C. police find 'ghost gun' in car after driver said she couldn't remember name
The BC Highway Patrol says the incident happened in Fort St. John on Dec. 13, when an officer stopped the 39-year-old woman to check for impaired driving. Police say while the driver was not impaired, she told the officer she could not recall her name, prompting a vehicle search.

B.C. police find 'ghost gun' in car after driver said she couldn't remember name

B.C. ringing in new year with new rules, including 20 per cent home-flipping tax

B.C. ringing in new year with new rules, including 20 per cent home-flipping tax
A maximum 20-per-cent home-flipping tax is among a number of new regulations coming into effect in British Columbia starting Jan. 1. The previously announced tax, to be levied against non-exempt people who sell homes within two years of purchase, is aimed at discouraging investors "from buying housing to turn a quick profit," the province says.

B.C. ringing in new year with new rules, including 20 per cent home-flipping tax

'Tinder of construction' aims to keep B.C. building waste out of landfills

'Tinder of construction' aims to keep B.C. building waste out of landfills
Gil Yaron barely contains his excitement when asked to describe his non-profit venture to convince construction companies, developers and renovation contractors to recycle tonnes of building material waste on Vancouver Island. "We're the Tinder of the construction sector," he said, chuckling at the reference to the online dating application. "We're the matchmaker."

'Tinder of construction' aims to keep B.C. building waste out of landfills

Experts say housing market poised to remain strong in 2025

Experts say housing market poised to remain strong in 2025
Along with falling rates, TD economist Rishi Sondhi said the federal government's recent mortgage rule changes, which kicked in on Dec. 15, should help lift home sales and prices. While pent-up demand should translate to more homes changing hands in the coming months, he cautions that the rush will likely be exhausted in the first half of next year.

Experts say housing market poised to remain strong in 2025

Artist and activist Joe Average dies at 67, after life as vivid as his paintings

Artist and activist Joe Average dies at 67, after life as vivid as his paintings
Vancouver's Joe Average was an artist, advocate and activist whose bright, multicoloured images were as multi-faceted as his existence. But his sister Karin Carson says she used to giggle about his fame and always called him by Brock, his given name. 

Artist and activist Joe Average dies at 67, after life as vivid as his paintings