TORONTO (AP) — Amid mounting pressure to step down, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is poised to disclose his political future this week. Trudeau, whose popularity has plummeted due to various issues such as escalating food and housing prices, has remained conspicuously silent in recent weeks despite increasing demands for his resignation following the sudden departure of his finance minister on December 16. Following the Christmas break, Trudeau has now returned to Ottawa.
Daniel Béland, a political science professor at McGill University in Montreal, remarked, “His prolonged silence in the aftermath of this political turmoil underscores the fragility of his current position.” While all three opposition parties have indicated their willingness to support a vote of no confidence to unseat Trudeau’s minority government, Parliament is presently adjourned, deferring any immediate threat. Nevertheless, calls for his resignation from within his own party are growing louder, rendering his stance increasingly precarious.
However, there exists no immediate mechanism for Trudeau’s party to compel his resignation. Should he retain his position until Parliament reconvenes later this month, his Liberal party could potentially be ousted from power through a no-confidence vote, likely benefiting the rival Conservative Party.
Initially hailed for leading Canada back to its liberal roots upon his election in 2015, the 53-year-old Trudeau has seen a significant decline in public favor in recent years. The political turbulence comes at a challenging moment for Canada, as U.S. President-elect Donald Trump has threatened to levy 25% tariffs on all Canadian goods unless Canada addresses what he deems an influx of migrants and drugs into the United States — notwithstanding that the volume from Canada pales in comparison to that from Mexico.
Trudeau is slated to virtually participate in a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Canada-U.S. Relations on Monday. If Trudeau resigns as party leader, the Liberals may opt to delay the reopening of Parliament to allow for the selection of a new leader.
Due to the absence of a parliamentary majority, Trudeau’s Liberals have relied on the support of the NDP for years to pass legislation and maintain power. Yet, NDP leader Jagmeet Singh has unequivocally stated the NDP’s intention to vote to bring down the government, mirroring similar sentiments expressed by other opposition parties.
