UPDATE: 11:25 p.m.
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.’
written by Rich Coffin
EARLIER:
The Globe and Mail is reporting this morning that Justin Trudeau will step down as Liberal leader this week…..perhaps as early as today.
The federal Liberals are holding special regional caucus meetings today and tomorrow.
On Wednesday, there will be a secret national caucus meeting, with MPs being urged to join through Zoom if they’re not in Ottawa.
He will reportedly resign before that session.
The Liberals have already begun preparations for a leadership convention…..one that may have to be held quickly if the government falls to a non-confidence motion when the Commons returns later this month.
