1:13 p.m. MST
Mélanie Joly, who spoke highly of Trudeau in a recent interview with the New York Times, a feature interview which prompted Canadians to suspect she was gunning for the top job herself, posted a statement to social media thanking Trudeau for his efforts over the last 10 years.
11:00 a.m. MST
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith said Canadians need a leader who has a "clear mandate" with Canadians, especially in light of incoming President Donald Trump and his 25% tariff threat.
"The Liberal party has no such mandate from Canadians and they are putting their selfish political interests ahead of the Canadian people by paralyzing parliament and suspending democracy for months while they fight a divisive internal leadership contest," wrote Smith, calling for federal parties to trigger an election.
10:00 a.m. MST
Former Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland, who unceremoniously resigned the same morning in December she was expected to deliver the Liberals' Fall Economic Statement, wrote an extremely brief statement on social media thanking Trudeau for his service and wishing him the best.
Freeland, along with Mark Carney and potentially former BC premier Christy Clark, is reportedly in the running to be the next Liberal leader.
9:50 a.m. MST
President-elect Donald Trump took the opportunity of Trudeau’s resignation to promote his idea to have Canada become the fifty-first state.
"Many people in Canada LOVE being the 51st State," he wrote on social media after Trudeau's announcement.
"The United States can no longer suffer the massive Trade Deficits and Subsidies that Canada needs to stay afloat. Justin Trudeau knew this, and resigned."
"Together, what a great Nation it would be!!!
9:46 a.m. MST
NDP leader Jagmeet Singh rubbed salt in the wounds of the prime minister he personally propped up for the last several years through a coalition agreement.
“Justin Trudeau has let you down, over and over,” Singh wrote in a statement on social media.
"They don’t deserve another chance."
Singh also took the opportunity to smear Pierre Poilievre's Tories.
“If you oppose callous Conservative cuts, if you oppose the rich getting richer while everyone else falls further behind – stand with the NDP this time," wrote Singh.
9:40 a.m. MST
Tory leader Pierre Poilievre following Trudeau's announcement posted a statement saying that "Nothing has changed."
Poilievre's position is that it wasn't just Trudeau that is responsible for the state Canada is in, it's the whole Liberal party — including potential leaders, excluding Mark Carney, who isn't even an elected official but is one of the top contenders for Liberal leadership.
9:30 a.m. MST
Bloc Quebecois leader Yves-Francois Blanchet immediately after Trudeau's announcement called for an election, not a new Liberal party leader.
“There is no possible way for this party to become something else in a few weeks," said Blanchet.
"We are facing the same people with the same values, the same ideology. We have to go in elections.”
9:16 a.m. MST
Mark Carney, who is expected to be a frontrunner in the Liberal leadership race, minutes after Trudeau announced his resignation posted a message thanking the prime minister for his work and the "sacrifices" he and his family made over the last nine years.
9:05 a.m. MST
Justin Trudeau on Monday morning at Rideau Cottage, with tears welling up in his eyes, announced his intention to step down as prime minister and as Liberal Party leader.
"I can no longer be prime minister due to internal battles," said Trudeau at a press conference.
"I cannot be the one to carry the Liberals into the next election."
The prime minister's resignation means a Liberal leadership race ahead of the next scheduled general election in October.
He will remain in his position until a new leader is selected.
Parliament will prorogue until March 24, with Trudeau still at the helm — meaning he will be head of state on January 20, the inauguration day of President-elect Donald Trump.
The government will run out of money on March 31, the end of the financial year. MPs must return to parliament before then to pass an appropriations bill.
“Every morning I've woken up as prime minister, I've been inspired by the resilience, the generosity, and the determination of Canadians,” said Trudeau.
“It is the driving force of every single day I’ve had the privilege of serving in this office. That is why, since 2015, I've fought for this country, for you, to strengthen and grow the middle class.”
Trudeau said during his time as prime minister, he supported Canadians through the COVID-19 pandemic — where he mandated masks, “social distancing,” and vaccines and unlawfully weaponized the Emergencies Act against peaceful protesters in Ottawa — as well as indigenous reconciliation, “standing with Ukraine,” fighting climate change, and “getting our economy ready for the future.”
Trudeau also claimed he has “defended free trade” in North America — despite becoming a worldwide laughingstock on this with Canada’s weak borders prompting President-elect Donald Trump to impose 25% tariffs on all Canadian goods.
“We are at a critical moment in the world,” said Trudeau.
“As you all know, I'm a fighter. Every bone in my body has always told me to fight because I care deeply about Canadians. I care deeply about this country, and I will always be motivated by what is in the best interest of Canadians.”
He went on to list reasons for stepping down, including the fact that parliament has been gridlocked for months over the Liberals' refusal to hand over documents to the RCMP pertaining to their Sustainable Development Technology Canada (SDTC) scandal.
“That's why this morning, I advised the Governor General that we need a new session of parliament. She has granted this request, and the House will now be prorogued until March 24,” said Trudeau.
“Over the holidays, I've also had a chance to reflect and have had long talks with my family about our future… and last night, over dinner, I told my kids about the decision that I'm sharing with you today.”
“I intend to resign as party leader, as prime minister after the party selects its next leader through a robust, nationwide competitive process.”
Trudeau said Sunday night he asked the Liberal party president to open the process of selecting a new leader.
“It has become clear to me that if I'm having to fight internal battles, I cannot be the best option in that election,” said Trudeau.
The other three major parties could trigger a snap election at any time with a non-confidence vote, however, Jagmeet Singh’s NDP has continued to support the Liberals.
Trudeau has faced mounting pressure to resign in recent weeks, particularly in the wake of the resignation of former Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland on December 16.
The replacements for Trudeau as Liberal Party leader appear to be former Bank of Canada governor Mark Carney, Freeland, and former premier of BC Christy Clark.
The Liberals are scheduled to hold a six-hour Liberal caucus meeting on Wednesday, with MPs strongly encouraged to attend in person, where the party will brainstorm a strategy to move forward.
An Angus Reid poll at the end of December showed the Liberals polling at 16%, while support for the Conservatives rose to 45%.
