Justin Trudeau is out! Why did Canada’s PM Trudeau resign | How Could a Power Shift in Canada Impact India?

PM Justin Trudeau Resigns: Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has resigned. Trudeau addressed the nation on Monday and announced his resignation. Trudeau said, “I announce my resignation as leader of the Liberal Party and PM. I feel that I am not a good option from the Liberal Party for the 2025 election.” Canadian News CBC has quoted sources as saying that Trudeau will remain in the post of Prime Minister until his successor is chosen. After Trudeau’s resignation, it is believed that there may be a demand for elections before the scheduled time. 

Trudeau was being pressured by his Liberal Party MPs to step down for several months. Recently, Deputy PM and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland resigned while levelling serious allegations against the Trudeau government. After this, the pressure on Trudeau increased. Trudeau is also accused of running an anti-India agenda to divert the public’s attention from national issues.

”I will keep fighting for Canada like a fighter”

Addressing the Canadian citizens, Justin Trudeau said, “Despite all my efforts, the Parliament remained paralyzed for many months. But, I am a fighter. I care about my country Canada and will always care. I have been fighting for the betterment of my country. This fight will continue in future as well.” 

Justin Trudeau said, “There were internal battles within the Liberal Party, which led me to decide to step down as party chief and Canadian PM.” 53-year-old Trudeau said, “I have decided to step down as PM after a long discussion with my ex-wife and children.”

Why did Trudeau have to resign?

• Trudeau has been under pressure from his Liberal Party MPs to step down for several months. Due to this, Trudeau is becoming increasingly isolated.
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• Canada’s Deputy PM and Finance Minister Christia resigned from her post on Monday. Christia posted on social media that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau had asked her to leave the post of Finance Minister and take charge of another ministry last Friday. Angered by this, Christia has decided to resign from the cabinet. She wrote that for some time now, Trudeau and she were not able to agree on decisions. Christia has long been considered Trudeau’s most influential and loyal minister. Recently, Christia had expressed disagreement with Trudeau’s decision to give Rs 15,000 for free to citizens. She had said that Canada is facing the threat of tariffs on exports to the US. In such a situation, spending more should be avoided. Apart from this, most of the party’s 152 MPs were pressuring her for resignation.
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• In October, 24 MPs from Trudeau’s party had publicly demanded his resignation. Apart from this, many people have also demanded him to step down in personal meetings.

Challenge for Trudeau’s party

After Trudeau’s resignation, the Liberal Party does not have any leader who has a hold on the general public. The names of Foreign Minister Melanie Joly, Dominic LeBlanc, Mark Kani are ahead in this race. A special convention is called to elect the top leader in the Liberal Party. This process takes several months. If the Liberal Party does not have any local leader and elections are held in the country, it may harm them.

What next?

The session of Parliament was supposed to begin on January 27, but Trudeau said that it will now happen in March. As soon as the session begins, the Liberal Party may have to face a confidence vote. The Liberal Party is already in minority. There is little hope of them getting support from other parties at the last moment of the election. In such a situation, the Liberal government may lose the confidence vote in March itself.

Trudeau’s party does not have a majority

Currently, the Liberal Party has 153 MPs in the Canadian Parliament House of Commons. There are 338 seats in the Canadian House of Commons. The majority figure in this is 170. Last year, the Trudeau government’s ally New Democratic Party (NDP) withdrew the support of its 25 MPs. NDP is the party of pro-Khalistani Canadian Sikh MP Jagmeet Singh.

Due to the breakdown of the coalition, the Trudeau government was reduced to a minority. However, in the majority test held on October 1, Trudeau’s Liberal Party got the support of another party. Because of this, Trudeau passed the floor test. Trudeau’s opposition Conservative Party has 120 seats.

However, New Democratic Party (NDP) leader Jagmeet Singh has decided to bring a no-confidence motion against PM Trudeau again. Jagmeet Singh had said last month that he would take steps to topple the minority Liberal government next month so that elections can be held again in the country. Parliamentary proceedings will begin in Canada from January 27.

Which party has how many seats in the Canadian Parliament?

Party-wise Seat Distribution in Canadian Parliament (House of Commons):

1. Total Seats in the House of Commons:
   • 338 seats.
   • Majority mark: 170 seats.
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2. Liberal Party:
   • Holds 153 seats.
   • Led by Justin Trudeau.
   • Currently in a minority government due to loss of support from NDP.
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3. New Democratic Party (NDP):
   • Led by pro-Khalistani Canadian Sikh MP Jagmeet Singh.
   • Holds 25 seats.
   • Withdrew support from Trudeau’s government last year, reducing it to a minority.
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4. Conservative Party:
   • Trudeau’s main opposition party.
   • Holds 120 seats.
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5. Post-NDP Withdrawal:
   • Trudeau’s government faced a floor test on October 1.
   • The Liberal Party gained support from another party to retain power despite losing NDP’s backing.

Reasons for Resentment Against Trudeau

1. Rising Inflation:
   • Canadians are frustrated with the persistent increase in inflation, affecting their cost of living and overall economic stability.
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2. Political Challenges:
   • Trudeau has been facing criticism for his handling of:
     • The rise of radical forces in Canada.
     • The increasing number of immigrants.
     • Post-Covid-19 economic and social recovery.
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3. Declining Public Support:
   • In an Ipsos survey (October 2023):
     • Only 28% of Canadians said Trudeau should contest elections again.
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4. Angus Reid Institute:
   • Trudeau’s approval rating has dropped to 30%.
   • 65% of Canadians expressed disapproval of him.
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5. Opposition Party’s Rising Popularity:
   • Surveys indicate that if elections were held now, the Conservative Party would likely secure a majority.
   • The public views the Conservative Party as a better alternative due to frustration with Trudeau’s policies and rising inflation.

Trudeau became PM for the first time in 2015

Justin Trudeau, the elder son of former Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau, became the chief of the Liberal Party in 2013. He took oath as Prime Minister for the first time in 2015. Trudeau wanted to contest for the post of Prime Minister for the fourth time. However, this could not happen. Let us tell you that in the last 100 years in Canada, no Prime Minister has won the election four times in a row.

Who can be Trudeau’s replacement in the Liberal Party?

Many meetings are held to choose the top leader in the Liberal Party. There are many processes. It takes many months. According to many media reports, if Trudeau resigns, the main challenge for the Liberal Party will be to find a leader with mass appeal. According to media reports, there are many names in the Liberal Party like Foreign Minister Melanie Joly, Dominic LeBlanc, Mark Kani who can replace Trudeau.

How Could a Power Shift in Canada Impact India?

A power shift in Canada could ease visa policies for India, improve bilateral ties, and impact 1M Indian immigrants. Relations may strengthen, addressing visa rejections and Khalistani influence concerns.

• If the opposition Conservative Party forms the government, there is a possibility of changes in visa policies. The stringent visa policies currently applied to India might be relaxed.
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• To save its current government, Trudeau is reportedly receiving support from Khalistani groups. A change in leadership could improve relations between the two countries.
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• The “fast-track destination” status granted to Indians in Canada benefits 1 million Indian immigrants. This status might be reviewed and changed under a new government, affecting this group significantly.
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• Currently, India’s concern regarding visa rejections remains one of the highest. With a potential power shift in Canada, the relationship between the two countries could accelerate positively.

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