Trudeau, 53, stated he would remain in office until the Liberals select a new leader through a competitive, nationwide process. Parliament has been prorogued and will reconvene on March 24.

"This country deserves a real choice in the next election, and it has become clear to me that if I’m having to fight internal battles, I cannot be the best option in that election," Trudeau said during a press conference in Ottawa on Monday.

He shared that his decision came after discussions with his family. "Last night, over dinner, I told my kids about the decision I’m sharing with you today," he added.

Sachit Mehra, president of the Liberal Party, announced that the party’s board of directors would meet this week to initiate the leadership selection process. "Liberals across the country are immensely grateful to Justin Trudeau for more than a decade of leadership to our Party and the country," Mehra said, praising Trudeau’s transformational programs like the Canada Child Benefit and expanded healthcare coverage.

Trudeau’s personal unpopularity had increasingly affected the party’s fortunes, particularly as the Conservatives, led by Pierre Poilievre, have maintained a double-digit lead in polls for months. Poilievre criticized Trudeau's resignation, stating, "Every Liberal MP and leadership contender supported everything Trudeau did for nine years. Now they want to trick voters by swapping in another Liberal face to keep ripping off Canadians for another four years, just like Justin."

Trudeau’s position weakened further after Chrystia Freeland, his deputy prime minister and long-time ally, abruptly resigned in December. Freeland’s public resignation letter criticized Trudeau’s handling of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump’s proposed tariffs on Canadian goods, which economists warn could significantly harm Canada’s economy.

Trump, who has promised a 25% tariff on Canadian imports unless stricter border security measures are implemented, claimed Trudeau’s resignation was a result of U.S. pressure. In an online post, Trump suggested that Canada should consider becoming "the 51st State" to avoid such economic threats.

Since 2019, the Liberals have governed as a minority party, relying on agreements with other parties like the left-leaning New Democrats and the Bloc Québécois. Following Freeland’s resignation, those alliances dissolved, leaving the Liberals politically vulnerable.

The next federal election, scheduled for no later than October 20, will determine the party’s fate under new leadership. However, with polls heavily favoring the Conservatives, the Liberals face an uphill battle to maintain power.