After weeks of speculation and calls from politicians even within his own party to resign, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced that he will step down as leader of the Liberal Party when a replacement is chosen. It’s a significant and still quite rare moment in Canadian history.
But Justin Trudeau is not the first Canadian prime minister to resign amid rising unpopularity and unfavourable polls. He’s not even the first Trudeau to do this.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, right, sits behind the desk of former prime minister Brian Mulroney, left, while touring a replica of Mr. Mulroney’s former parliamentary office in Mulroney Hall at St. Francis Xavier University in Antigonish, N.S. on Monday, June 19, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darren Calabrese
Brian Mulroney (1984-1993)
Brian Mulroney, serving as Prime Minister from 1984 to 1993, faced declining popularity due to economic challenges and controversial policies like the Goods and Services Tax (GST).
In February 1993, with approval ratings plummeting, Mulroney announced his resignation as leader of the Progressive Conservative Party. He was succeeded by Kim Campbell, who became Canada’s first — and, still, only — female prime minister. But the 1993 federal election was disastrous for the Progressive Conservatives who won only two seats after winning two majorities, marking one of the most significant defeats in Canadian political history.
Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau (right) and former prime minister Jean Chretien stand together on stage at an event to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Canadian Flag, in Mississauga Ont., on Sunday February 15 2015.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young
Jean Chrétien (1993-2003)
Jean Chrétien, who served as Prime Minister from 1993 — after defeating the Campbell Conservatives — to 2003, faced internal party conflicts, particularly with his finance minister, Paul Martin. Amid growing pressure and a leadership review, Chrétien announced in 2002 that he would not seek another term and resigned in December 2003. Paul Martin succeeded him as Liberal leader and Prime Minister.
Initially, Martin enjoyed substantial support, but internal party divisions and sponsorship scandals eroded public trust. The Liberals under Martin lost their majority in 2004, but still won a minority mandate against Stephen Harper’s Conservatives, who would win a minority two years later in 2006.
FRANCE – AUGUST 13: Former Canadian Prime Minister Pierre Elliott Trudeau is shown in a file photo dated 13 August 1975. Trudeau, who served as prime minister from 1968 to 1984, died 28 September 2000 at his Montreal home of cancer. He was 80. (Photo credit should read STF/AFP via Getty Images)
Pierre Elliott Trudeau (1968–1979; 1980–1984)
Pierre Elliott Trudeau, Justin Trudeau’s father, served two non-consecutive tenures as prime minister. After his first near-decade as prime minister, he faced economic challenges and unpopularity, leading to his and the Liberals’ loss in 1979. But he stayed on as leader and was leader of the Opposition until 1980, when the Liberals won a minority mandate.
His second term was marked by significant events, including the patriation of the Canadian Constitution in 1982. But as Mulroney became leader of the Progressive Conservatives, polls showed Trudeau would lose if he led the Liberals into the next election. In February 1984, Trudeau announced he would retire. By June of that year, John Turner became leader of the Liberals, who would lose in historic fashion to Mulroney’s PCs, who won 211 seats, a Canadian record.