Justin Trudeau officially resigned as Canada’s Prime Minister on March 14, 2025, ending nearly ten years in power. He was succeeded by former central banker Mark Carney, who was elected leader of the Liberal Party following a nationwide leadership contest.
Mounting pressure and internal divisions
Trudeau first announced his intention to step down on January 6, 2025, citing internal party divisions and the need to give Canadians a “real choice” in the upcoming federal election. He requested the Governor General to prorogue Parliament until March 24, effectively pausing legislative activity to allow the Liberal Party time to select a new leader.
His departure followed months of growing political pressure. More than 20 Liberal Members of Parliament had publicly called for his resignation as the party’s approval ratings fell to historic lows, ranging between 16% and 33%.
Tensions within the government escalated further in December 2024, when Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland resigned. In her resignation, she criticized Trudeau’s handling of looming US trade threats and tariff risks, raising concerns about the government’s economic strategy.
At the same time, national polling consistently showed the Liberal Party trailing the opposition Conservatives, led by Pierre Poilievre, by double-digit margins.
This country deserves a real choice in the next election, and it’s become clear to me that if I’m having to fight internal battles, I cannot be the best option in that election.
Canadian PM Justin Trudeau in his speech announcing his resignation
Leadership Transition
In March 2025, the Liberal Party elected Mark Carney as its new leader after a competitive national process. Carney, a former governor of both the Bank of Canada and the Bank of England, took over leadership at a critical moment for the party as it prepared for the federal election.
Following his resignation as prime minister, Trudeau remained in Parliament as the Member of Parliament for Papineau. He served as a backbench MP until the 2025 federal election, after which he retired from politics.
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