Justin Trudeau’s nine-year tenure has officially ended. His resignation has raised many significant questions about the direction of the Liberal Party and Canada’s political future. Justin Trudeau has led the Liberal Party since 2013 and became the Prime Minister of Canada in 2015 by defeating the Conservative Party leader Stephen Harper, ending his nine-year rule. Throughout the journey, Trudeau acquired substantial policies such as embracing refugees, promoting feminism, and advancing efforts to reset Canada’s relationship with Indigenous communities.
His resignation left the Liberal Party in a critical moment; the party has been undergoing an uphill battle with limited time to prepare for upcoming elections. Recent polls indicate that the Liberal Party will suffer a decisive defeat against the Pierre Poilievre candidate.
What Led the Prime Minister to Resign?
His resignation was the culmination of mounting internal dissent and external pressures. It was not an isolated event that happened in a vacuum. In recent months, his leadership faced persistent threats from the Liberal MPs to step down from the position. Because of poor polling numbers, the cost of living is worsening along with limited resources; the population is growing, and there are decades of underinvestment in social welfare for housing. Meanwhile, the administration’s welcoming immigration policy and a carbon tax to reduce emissions also intensified matters ahead of the electoral process.
Additionally, Prime Minister Trudeau sensed the extensive challenges of his major trading partner, the United States. As Donald Trump prepared to assume office on 20th January, his administration said it would impose 25% tariffs on Canadian products. Simultaneously, Trump asserted that Trudeau functionally serves as a governor of Canada and advocated that Canada functions as a projection (51st state) of the United States. Consequently, the most powerful and influential figure in Trudeau’s cabinet, Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland, stepped down from the government.
Justin Trudeau and His Legacy
Throughout his administration, Justin Trudeau prioritized mitigating poverty, advancing reconciliation with the Indigenous communities, and securing an effective trade deal between the US and Mexico.
In 2018, his administration executed the legalization of recreational cannabis, accomplishing a key campaign promise and marking an influential shift in Canadian drug policy. Simultaneously, Canada adopted several other policies, such as granting medical aid to the needy, promoting dental care, and government-assisted child care.
The Trudeau government pledged to cut GHG emissions 40 to 50% below 2005 levels by limiting gas and oil emissions, implementing strict regulations on methane, and advancing investment tax credits for clean electricity and carbon capture technologies.
To end gender-based violence, Trudeau’s administration has implemented the Federal 2SLGBTQI + Action Plan, addressing to counter the root causes of violence and promoting systemic equality among the diverse population. In 2018, Trudeau’s government played a vital role in the renegotiation and ratification of the NAFTA agreement, prioritizing the preservation of jobs, fostering economic growth, and strengthening the trilateral economic integration among Canada, the United States, and Mexico.
Challenges for the Liberal Party
The resignation of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has caused major internal and external conflicts, weakening the Liberal Party due to declining public support. His tenure was marked by multiple controversies, such as the brownface scandals and allegations of groping, which significantly eroded public trust.
Internally, the party faces a leadership vacuum, with potential successors like Chrystia Freeland and Mark Carney being considered. Externally, the Liberal Party’s weakened position has paved the way for the resurgence of the Conservative Party under Pierre Poilievre, reshaping Canada’s political landscape. This has left the Liberal Party at a crossroads, struggling to rebuild public trust. The upcoming leadership race will be critical in defining the party’s direction. To remain competitive, the Liberals must focus on trust-building and reshaping their bruised reputation.
Canada beyond Trudeau
Canadians allotted around 1.37% of their GDP to defense the previous year despite Trudeau’s pledge to spend the NATO target of 2% of its GDP on defense. However, the country could not achieve the commitment and failed to meet the criteria of NATO and North America. At this critical juncture, both the world and Canada faced numerous crises. Donald Trump called the NATO allies to allocate defense expenditure to 3% of their GDP. This raised the crucial question of what strategy Canada would adopt to address this challenge.
Canada integrates into the AUKUS alliance through one potential approach, which would foster the escalation of defense expenditures. Such an alliance framework would support the country in meeting its defense commitments and enhancing its strategic posture around the global security landscape.
During the Trudeau period, the relationship between India and Canada became progressively strained over the Sikh diaspora that advocated the Khalistan movement, leading to diplomatic friction. The incoming leader of Canada must address such complex challenges, including ones such as the ongoing trade dilemma with the United States, the nation’s immigration policy, and various internal economic crises.
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Abdulaziz, a final-year International Relations student at the University of Central Punjab, focuses on international security, terrorism, and regional geopolitics. He has published on topics like climate change and China in the Middle East and presented research internationally.