PaperGlitch
Published on 10/27/2025
8 views
The End of an Era: Justin Trudeau's Departure from Canada's Top Political Stage
The End of an Era: Justin Trudeau's Departure from Canada's Top Political Stage :
Justin Trudeau, who served as Canada's 23rd Prime Minister for nearly a decade, officially stepped down from his role and the leadership of the Liberal Party in March 2025. His departure followed a period of mounting political pressure and a significant decline in public support for both himself and the Liberal Party. This transition marks a pivotal moment in Canadian politics, ushering in a new era with Mark Carney taking the helm as the new Liberal leader and Prime Minister.
The political landscape shifted dramatically in the months leading up to his resignation, with record-low approval ratings and an internal caucus revolt signaling widespread discontent. Many Canadians, including a significant portion of Liberal supporters, had been calling for his resignation or a snap election. Trudeau's decision to step down, announced in January 2025, aimed to provide the Liberal Party with an opportunity for renewal ahead of the next federal election.
A Tumultuous Exit: The Political Crisis of Late 2024 and Early 2025 :
The final months of Justin Trudeau's premiership were characterized by a rapidly escalating political crisis that began in December 2024. A major catalyst was the unexpected resignation of Chrystia Freeland from her positions as Minister of Finance and Deputy Prime Minister. Her departure sent shockwaves through Ottawa, reportedly stemming from policy disagreements and becoming a significant blow to Trudeau's cabinet.
Freeland, once a staunch loyalist, allegedly disagreed with Trudeau's spending priorities, particularly his focus on what she termed 'gimmicks' and his perceived underestimation of the threat of imposing tariffs by the incoming Trump administration. This resignation triggered a wave of dissent within the Liberal caucus, with a growing number of MPs publicly calling for Trudeau to step aside. The New Democratic Party (NDP) also withdrew its support for the minority government in September 2024, further destabilizing his position and intensifying calls for his resignation.
Economic Headwinds: Trudeau's Fiscal Legacy Under Scrutiny :
Justin Trudeau's economic legacy is viewed with a mix of successes and significant challenges. His government initially focused on strengthening the middle class, implementing the Canada Child Benefit (CCB) which notably reduced child poverty and provided substantial financial support to families. Investments in childcare also aimed to reduce costs to $10 per day by 2025-26, enhancing affordability and encouraging female labor force participation.
However, critics point to a period of sluggish economic growth and declining productivity, with Canada's real GDP per capita experiencing negative growth for several quarters. The national debt also saw a substantial increase, nearly doubling from $628.9 billion in 2015 to an estimated $1.17 trillion by the end of 2023. This increased government spending and persistent budget deficits throughout his tenure are significant blemishes on his economic record.
Climate Action and Contradictions: Trudeau's Environmental Record :
Climate action was a cornerstone of Justin Trudeau's political identity, and his government introduced several significant environmental policies. These included commitments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 40-45% before 2030 and achieve net-zero emissions by 2050, with carbon pricing as a key tool. Canada also pledged to conserve 30% of its land and waters by 2030, playing a crucial role in a global agreement at the UN biodiversity conference in Montreal.
Despite these ambitious targets and policy wins, Trudeau's environmental legacy is also marked by contradictions, particularly his government's continued support for oil and gas infrastructure. The controversial purchase of the Trans Mountain pipeline, which aimed to triple oil transport capacity, drew criticism for seemingly conflicting with climate pledges. While emissions have decreased, Canada still faces significant challenges in meeting its long-term climate targets.
Navigating Global Waters: Foreign Policy Under Trudeau :
Under Justin Trudeau, Canada maintained close relations with the United States, navigating partnerships with three U.S. Presidents. His government played a role in negotiating trade deals such as the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) and expanded trade ties with the European Union and Asia-Pacific countries through agreements like CETA and CPTPP.
However, Canada's relationship with China deteriorated following the 2018 arrest of Meng Wanzhou, leading to a diplomatic dispute. More recently, Trudeau's claims in September 2023 regarding India's alleged involvement in the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar strained diplomatic ties with India, resulting in mutual expulsions of diplomats. These events highlight the complexities and challenges Canada faced on the international stage during his leadership.
The Shifting Tides of Public Opinion: Approval Ratings and Political Standing :
Justin Trudeau's political journey saw a remarkable shift in public sentiment, from high approval ratings when he took office in 2015 to a record low of 22% by December 2024. The Liberal Party's voting intention also plummeted to 16%, marking its lowest support in modern history, even falling below its performance in the 2011 election.
Conversely, the Conservative Party, led by Pierre Poilievre, surged in popularity, reaching 45% voter intent. This drastic decline in support for Trudeau was largely attributed to rising prices, a housing crisis, and growing frustration with everyday life among Canadians. The public's desire for change became increasingly evident, contributing significantly to the political crisis that ultimately led to his resignation.
Looking Ahead: Mark Carney and the Future of the Liberal Party :
Following Justin Trudeau's resignation, Mark Carney was elected as the new leader of the Liberal Party on March 9, 2025, and subsequently became Canada's 24th Prime Minister. Carney's ascension comes at a critical juncture for the Liberal Party, which faces the challenge of rebuilding its support and addressing the pressing concerns of Canadians.
The new government under Mark Carney is expected to prioritize Canada's economic revival, focusing on streamlining regulations and launching new energy infrastructure projects. With a federal budget scheduled for November 4, 2025, there are expectations for policies aimed at unlocking Canada's economic potential and addressing issues such as stagnant productivity and the housing crisis. The political landscape remains dynamic, with the next federal election looming.