Justin Trudeau – latest: Canadian prime minister resigns after nearly 10 years

Speaking outside his residence at Rideau Cottage, Trudeau said he had taken time over the holidays to “reflect” with his family.

“Throughout the course of my career, any success I have personally achieved has been because of their support and with their encouragement,” Trudeau said.

“So last night, over dinner, I told my kids about the decision that I’m sharing with you today. I intend to resign as party leader as prime minister after the party selects its next leader through a robust, nationwide, competitive process.”

Justin Trudeau commented on the departure of Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland last month.

“She has been an incredible political partner through just about everything we have done as a government and as a party over the past decade,” he said Monday. “I had really hoped that she would agree to continue as my deputy prime minister and take on one of the most important files that not just this government but this country is facing, but she chose otherwise.”

“In regards to what actually happened, I am not someone who’s in the habit of sharing private conversations,” he added.

“I intend to resign as party leader, as prime minister after the party selects its next leader through a robust nationwide, competitive process,” Trudeau said on Monday.

Now, the Liberal Party will decide on its next leader by holding a contest to decide who will succeed Trudeau. Until they do so, Trudeau will remain prime minister.

Justin Trudeau said, “As you all know, I am a fighter, and I am not someone who backs away from a fight, particularly when a fight is as important as this one is.”

“But I have always been driven by my love for Canada, by my desire to serve Canadians and by what is in the best interests of Canadians, and Canadians deserve a real choice in the next election, and it has become obvious to me with the internal battles that I cannot be the one to carry the liberal standard into the next election,” the outgoing prime minister argued.

Justin Trudeau has announced his resignation.

“Last night, over dinner, I told my kids about the decision that I sharing with you today,” he said Monday.

“I intend to resign as party leader, as prime minister after the party selects its next leader through a robust, nationwide, competitive process,” he added. “Last night, I asked the president of the Liberal Party to begin that process. This country deserves a real choice in the next election, and it has become clear to me that if I am having to fight internal battles, I cannot be the best option in that election.”

Justin Trudeau took to the podium, saying “Every morning I’ve woken up as prime minister, I’ve been inspired by the resilience, the generosity and the determination of Canadians.”

He added: “It is the driving force of every single day I have the privilege of serving in this office, that is why, since 2015 I’ve fought for this country, for you, 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 and get our economy ready for the future.”

“We are at a critical moment in the world,” he argued.

Justin Trudeau met with Canada’s governor general this morning, asking her to prorogue parliament until 24 March, according to CBC and CTV News.

Proroguing parliament means that all proceedings will cease without dissolving parliament, giving the party time to find a new leader.

Under the constitution of the Liberal Party, the leader can hand in his or her resignation at any point, leading to a leadership contest, which usually takes a few months.

But that process may be sped up as an election is set to be held in Canada on or before 20 October.

A snap election could be held if Trudeau calls for one or if parliament passes a no-confidence vote.