Prime Minister Justin Trudeau/via Wikipedia
After months inner-caucus revolts — including seeing his own Deputy under cut him publicly — Justin Trudeau has announced his intention hand over the wheel to someone else.
Speaking outside Rideau Cottage, which has become the Prime Minister’s residence while the official home — 24 Sussex — undergoes massive repairs, Trudeau has admitted that he’s given his Liberal Party of Canada a couple of extra months to prepare itself for the campaign ahead.
“I advised the Governor General that we need a new session of Parliament. She [Mary Simon] has granted this request, and the House will now be prorogued until March 24th.”
At the same time, Trudeau also announced that he doesn’t intend to call an end to his time as the Prime Minister immediately.
He says he intends to stay on at the helm of the Liberals until such time as a successor is chosen.
“I asked the President of the Liberal Party [of Canada] to begin that process. This country deserves a real choice in the next election. It has become clear to me that if I’m having to fight internal battles, I can not be the best option in that election.”
Trudeau took control of the Liberal Party in 2013, and took it to a majority government in 2015.
Poilievre takes aim at would-be Liberal leaders
Federal Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre and his wife after winning the Conservative Party leadership/via Conservative Party of Canada
“Canadians desperate to turn the page on this dark chapter in our history might be relieved today that Justin Trudeau is finally leaving,” said federal Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, in a statement shortly after Trudeau’s announcement. “But what has really changed?”
“Every Liberal MP in power today and every potential Liberal leadership contender fighting for the top job helped Justin Trudeau break the country over the last 9 years,” argued Poilievre.
“So, given that Liberal MPs and leadership contenders unanimously supported everything Trudeau has done, why dump him now, right before an election?” asked Poilievre. “Have they had a change of heart?
He would argue they have not.
“No. Their only objection is that he is no longer popular enough to win an election and keep them in power,” snapped Poilievre.
“They want to protect their pensions and pay cheques by sweeping their hated leader under the rug months before an election to trick you, and then do it all over again.”
