Ottawa: Canada’s leadership transition is set for March 9, as the Liberal Party announced it will hold a leadership vote to select the next prime minister. Justin Trudeau, who resigned from the role earlier this week, will continue serving as prime minister until a new leader is chosen.
The announcement came from Sachit Mehra, President of the Liberal Party of Canada, who confirmed the date of the leadership vote. “After a robust and secure nation-wide process, the Liberal Party of Canada will choose a new leader on March 9, and be ready to fight and win the 2025 election,” Mehra stated.
Among the frontrunners to succeed Trudeau are former central banker Mark Carney and former Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland. Both are well-known figures within the party and have strong political backgrounds.
The selection of a new leader comes at a time of political uncertainty. The Liberal Party is in a minority government, with opposition parties vowing to bring down the government in a no-confidence vote as soon as Parliament reconvenes on March 24. Additionally, a recent poll from Nanos shows the Liberals trailing significantly behind the opposition Conservatives, with the Liberals at 23% compared to 45% for the Conservatives.
Trudeau’s resignation, announced earlier this week, follows increasing pressure both within his party and from the public. His leadership suffered after public dissatisfaction over rising food and housing costs, as well as the growing issue of immigration.
This shift in Canadian politics comes at a turbulent moment internationally as well, with U.S. President-elect Donald Trump expressing concerns about Canada’s sovereignty, calling it the “51st state” and threatening to impose tariffs on Canadian goods.
