Has Canadian PM Justin Trudeau decided to resign?

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is increasingly expected to announce his intention to step down, though he has not yet made a final decision, according to sources familiar with his thinking. This comes after reports from The Globe and Mail suggesting that Trudeau could announce his resignation as early as Monday, ending his leadership of the Liberal Party after nearly nine years in office.

While the precise timing of Trudeau’s announcement remains uncertain, sources indicated that he is likely to address his future before a scheduled emergency meeting of Liberal legislators on Wednesday. Trudeau’s potential departure has been spurred by mounting pressure from a growing number of Liberal parliamentarians, who have publicly urged him to step aside amid a series of poor polling results.

The Canadian Prime Minister’s office has yet to respond to requests for comment, and Trudeau’s public schedule for Monday suggests he will participate virtually in a cabinet committee meeting on Canada-U.S. relations, rather than addressing the resignation rumors.

If Trudeau does step down, it would leave the Liberal Party without a permanent leader at a time when polls show the Conservatives are poised to win in the upcoming federal election, which must take place by late October. While Trudeau’s resignation would be a blow to the party, it could also pave the way for a leadership contest, with sources suggesting Finance Minister Dominic LeBlanc as a potential interim leader, though discussions regarding his possible candidacy remain in flux.

Trudeau, who took over the Liberal Party in 2013 when it was at a low point, led the Liberals to power in 2015 with promises of progressive policies and a focus on climate change and women’s rights. However, his leadership has faced increasing criticism in recent years, particularly in light of his handling of the pandemic’s economic fallout, rising inflation, and a strained immigration policy.

Trudeau’s departure would mark the end of an era for the Canadian Liberal Party, and his future actions remain closely watched by both his party and the public.