Although many St. Albertans reacted to the news of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's impending resignation positively, some had mixed feelings on whether or not they were happy to see him go.
Trudeau announced his intention to resign as Prime Minister and Liberal Party leader during a press conference on Monday (Jan. 6) at Rideau Cottage. He will remain on as party leader until the Liberal government chooses its new leader. He has also received approval from Governor General Mary Simon to prorogue Parliament until March 24.
Trudeau became leader of the Liberal party in 2013 and Prime Minister after the 2015 election. He said that his current Liberal government was the longest serving minority government in history and that it is "time for a reset."
During the conference, Trudeau said it had become clear to him that he "cannot be the best option" in an election later this year if he is "fighting internal battles." His resignation comes after calls for his resignation have increased within the Liberal party. These internal pressures skyrocketed when on Dec. 16 2024, Chrystia Freeland resigned as Finance Minister just hours before she was meant to deliver the fall economic statement.
Trudeau also announced that he had been granted approval to prorogue Parliament until March 24, days before the House of Commons will vote on interim supply on March 26.
The Gazette reached out to St. Albert residents on the announcement to find a mixed bag of responses.
"Yes and no," said Brock. "I definitely wouldn't say that he was a bad politician. I would say that he was a good Prime Minister that we had. It's kind of good to see a change. A little bit too late... but I do think that it was kind of the right thing for him to do." He also commented on what he thinks this means for the Liberal's success in the next election, saying that he thinks that the 2025 election will be Pierre Poilievre's to win and that the Liberals "don't really have much of a chance."
Another St. Albertan, Florent, was not optimistic about any change this will bring without an election. "All the Liberals that supported him are running to replace him. So policy wise, what will change?" he said.
Valirie Olinik said she was concerned about the effects an upcoming election would have on immigration.
"I think that everything that's going on is best for Canada, I hope for this," she said. "But especially for Ukrainians and newcomers it's a big question. 'What happens next?'" she said.
In a video posted to X, Conservative Party leader Poilievre continued his calls about the need for an election. "Every Liberal MP in power today and every potential Liberal leadership contender helped Justin Trudeau break the country over the last nine years," he said. The Conservative Party have stated their intentions to introduce a vote of non-confidence once Parliament returns.
In a statement posted to X, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith also called for all federal parties and MPs to force an election at the first opportunity and was critical of the decision to resign while the U.S. government transitions. Incoming U.S. President Donald Trump has threatened to introduce 25 per cent tariffs on all goods entering the United States from Canada and Mexico.
"Canadians need and deserve a prime minister and federal government with a clear mandate won from the Canadian people to negotiate with the incoming U.S. President and his administration on one of the most important international negotiations we have ever faced as a country," Smith wrote. "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 the fight a divisive internal leadership contest."
The Gazette reached out to St. Albert MP Michael Cooper's office for comment, but he did not respond in time for publication.
