Canada's Trudeau Stepping Down as Prime Minister...

by Catherine Lévesque and Stephanie Taylor at National Post

OTTAWA — Prime Minister Justin Trudeau ended weeks of uncertainty Monday by announcing his resignation, sparking questions about what an expedited Liberal leadership contest would look like, with the looming threat of U.S. tariffs and opposition parties promising to trigger an election at the earliest opportunity.

Trudeau, who has led the federal Liberals since 2013 and served as prime minister since 2015, announced his intention to step down that morning, saying he will continue to lead the party until a successor is chosen. He said Governor General Mary Simon granted his request to prorogue Parliament until March 24, which will put the House of Commons on hold until the Liberals find a leader to steer the party into the next federal election.

Trudeau delivered the news outside Rideau Cottage, his official residence in Ottawa, on a cold and windy day that saw some of his speech notes fly from his wooden podium.

“I intend to resign as party leader, as prime minister after the party selects its next leader through a robust, nationwide, competitive process,” said an emotional Trudeau.

“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.”…