Canadian PM Justin Trudeau Announces Resignation [Watch]

Ottawa: Amid dwindling support, Justin Trudeau on Monday officially resigned as Liberal Party Leader and Prime Minister of Canada.

“I intend to resign as party leader, as Prime Minister, after the party selects its next leader through a robust nation-wide competitive process. Last night I asked the president of the Liberal Party to start that process..,” he told a presser outside his home here.

He attributed his decision to “internal battles” within the party.

Trudeau further stated that he has fought for Canada and its people, to strengthen and grow the middle class, since becoming the prime minister in 2015.

He has requested the Governor General to prorogue Parliament until March 24.

He, however, added that Pierre Poilievre, the Conservative Party chief, pipped to be his successor and currently leading the polls, is not the right person to lead Canada, citing his views on climate change and other economic issues.

Interestingly, Trudeau’s exit come just days before Donald Trump’s inauguration, which is all set to take place on January 20. Trump had earlier shared on social media his plans to impose a 25% tariff on Canadian goods, putting Trudeau in a difficult situation. It was said to be a pressure tactic to push Ottawa to take stringent steps to secure the border and curb illegal immigration into the United States.