Saying Canadians deserve a “real choice in the next election,” Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has announced his intention to step down as party leader and Prime Minister of Canada once a new party leader is chosen.

Trudeau informed his children of the decision over dinner last night, and met with the Governor General this morning to prorogue parliament until March 24th to get a new leader in place.

Trudeau says parliament has been stymied in recent months. “Despite best efforts to work through it, parliament has been paralysed for months, after what has been the longest session of a minority parliament in Canadian history.”

Trudeau’s decision now sparks a leadership contest.

“I intend to resign as party leader, as Prime Minister after the party selects its next leader through a robust, nationwide competitive process. Last night I asked the president of the Liberal Party to begin that process.”

Trudeau also acknowledged the catalyst for today’s announcement, the resignation of Chrystia Freeland just prior to the release of the federal fall fiscal update.

“Chrystia has been by my side for close to 10 years now, she has been an incredible political partner,” Trudeau told reporters outside his residence.

“I’d really hoped that she would agree to continue as my Deputy Prime Minister, and take home one of the most important files that not just this government, but this country is facing, but she chose otherwise.”

I thank Justin Trudeau for his years of service to Canada and Canadians. I wish him and his family the very best.

— Chrystia Freeland (@cafreeland) January 6, 2025

Justin Trudeau has been the Liberal Party leader since 2013 and Prime Minister since October 2015.