Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is reportedly on the verge of announcing his resignation as leader of the Liberal Party, according to sources cited by the Globe and Mail.
Trudeau has been facing mounting pressure within his own party to step down, especially after the resignation of his finance minister, Chrystia Freeland, on December 16.
Freeland’s departure was attributed to policy disagreements between her and the prime minister.
The details surrounding Trudeau’s decision are being kept tightly under wraps with sources close to the prime minister indicating that no firm decision has yet been made.
However, the Globe report, which cites unnamed sources, suggests that Trudeau’s resignation is imminent.
In the wake of Freeland’s departure, some of Trudeau’s closest advisers have voiced concerns that the political fallout from the split will be too damaging for him to survive.
Over 20 Liberal members of parliament have publicly called for Trudeau’s resignation with many more expressing similar sentiments in private meetings.
The pressure is mounting and many believe that Trudeau’s time as leader is coming to an end.
“The country could face instability, notably from an economic threat in the potential of a 25% US tariff on Canadian imports from the incoming administration,” said Kody Blois, a Liberal MP from the eastern provinces, in a letter to the prime minister. “Simply put, time is of the essence,” he continued, adding that it’s “not tenable for you to remain as the leader.”
As Trudeau faces growing calls to step down, Canada’s political future hangs in the balance.
