Justin Trudeau Resigns: What’s Next for Canada?

On January 6, 2025, Justin Trudeau announced that he will be stepping down as Canada’s Prime Minister and leader of the Liberal Party. After nearly a decade in office, this marks the end of his time as the country’s leader, which started in 2015. 

With Trudeau’s resignation, the Liberal Party must select a new leader. The Liberal’s plan to announce a new leader by March 9, 2025. Candidates who wish to run have until January 23 to enter, with a $350,000 entrance fee to participate. Several people, including Chrystia Freeland, Anita Anand, and Mark Carney, have been mentioned as possible new leaders.

Suspending Parliament

Along with his resignation, Trudeau also requested that the Governor General temporarily suspend Parliament until March 24, 2025. This will allow the Liberal Party to focus on choosing a new leader, but it also means that the new leader will have less time to prepare for important decisions later in the year.

Canada must hold a federal election by October 2025, but it could happen sooner. Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre has been calling for an earlier election and even tried to trigger a non-confidence vote in Parliament. However, his most recent attempt failed when NDP leader Jagmeet Singh refused to support it. If the Liberals lose a confidence vote when Parliament resumes, Canada could face an election sooner than expected.

Who Is Pierre Poilievre?

Pierre Poilievre, leader of the Conservative Party, has been critical of Trudeau’s government and has been calling for an early election. Poilievre’s bold approach over the years has earned him many supporters, making him a powerful contender in the upcoming federal election.

New Immigration Policies

One of the most important issues in the upcoming election will be immigration. Under Trudeau, the Liberal government has aimed to bring in 395,000 new permanent residents in 2025, focusing on skilled workers, family reunification, and humanitarian programs. On the other hand, Pierre Poilievre and the Conservatives believe Canada needs to be more careful about how many people are allowed to immigrate. They argue that immigration levels should be more closely tied to the country’s housing and service needs.

What This Means for Canada

Trudeau’s resignation comes at a time of important change for Canada. Immigration will be a major topic in the upcoming federal election, with the two main parties (liberal and conservative) having very different views regarding the matter.

If you are thinking about moving to Canada or applying for permanent residency, now is the time to act. Changes in immigration policies could impact your ability to come to Canada under the new government. Stay informed by signing up for our newsletter on the bottom of this page to get the latest immigration news, updates and immigration advice.

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