Justin Trudeau to step down as Canada PM ahead of US presidential election 2024? What we know so far

Doubts about the leadership of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau intensified after his ruling Liberal Party suffered a second humiliating loss in a special election, but the unpopular leader is determined to cling to office ahead of a looming national vote as well as the U.S. Presidential elections 2024, as per a report.

The Liberals, who have governed for almost nine years, suffered a narrow defeat on Monday in a Montreal constituency that had been one of the party's safest seats, Reuters reported.

The loss, following a defeat in Toronto in late June, reinforced the perception that Liberal prospects in the next national election are dim. The mandate for Trudeau's minority government expires at the end of October 2025, but an early election has become increasingly likely after the smaller New Democratic Party dropped its support.


Even so, Trudeau showed no sign on Tuesday that he may step down before the next election campaign. And the party's mechanisms to force him out are limited.

Although polls indicate the Liberals will lose badly to the official opposition right-of-center Conservatives in the next election amid unhappiness over inflation and a housing crisis, Trudeau and his closest aides say he is going nowhere and has time to help the party recover.

His main immediate challenge is that he has lost control of the House of Commons, where the Liberals hold only a minority of seats. The left-leaning NDP signed a deal in 2022 to keep the Liberals in power but tore up the agreement this month.

The NDP increased its share of the vote in Montreal while retaining a seat in the western province of Manitoba, fending off a strong Conservative challenge. The Liberals face a number of confidence votes by legislators in the next few months and a defeat would trigger an election, although the NDP may choose to keep the government afloat until it can buoy its own popularity.

Keeping a minority government alive can be difficult and how much Trudeau can press ahead with his legislative agenda remains unclear. The Liberals said on Monday they would focus on legislation regarding defense and citizenship.

Unlike in the United States, where President Joe Biden stepped down as Democratic presidential candidate in favor of Vice President Kamala Harris, there is no smooth way for Trudeau to hand over power.

One senior Liberal said if the polls continued to look miserable, senior ministers could urge Trudeau to leave. But the Liberal, who requested anonymity given the sensitivity of the situation, said there was no guarantee Trudeau - a stubborn man according to insiders - would listen.

Tradition dictates a stand-in must come from the ranks of legislators, ruling out former Bank of Canada governor Mark Carney, often mentioned as a potential Trudeau replacement.

The interim leader does not run to be the permanent replacement, according to party custom. That could deter cabinet heavyweights such as Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland and Innovation Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne from seeking to replace Trudeau in the short term.

Regardless, changing leaders might not boost Liberal prospects, said Frank Graves, president of the Ekos polling firm.

FAQs

Q1. Who is Prime Minister of Canada?
A1. Justin Trudeau is the Prime Minister of Canada.


Q2. What is the age of Justin Trudeau?
A2. Justin Trudeau is 52-year-old.