Canadian PM Justin Trudeau to resign this week – Report

By John Ogunsemore

Canadian Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau is expected to announce his resignation this week amid growing dissent within his Liberal Party.

National newspapers The Globe and Mail and The Toronto Star reported that sources within Trudeau’s party expect him to quit ahead of its national caucus meeting on Wednesday.

The newspapers quoted the sources as saying Trudeau could step down as early as Monday.

The Liberal Party would be left without a leader should Trudeau resign, months before the next legislative elections scheduled for the end of October.

The Globe and Mail said it remain uncertain whether Trudeau would remain in an interim capacity while the Liberal Party seeks new leadership.

AFP reported that the Prime Minister’s office declined comment when contacted about the development.

Trudeau’s administration has grown more unpopular in recent months, narrowly surviving a series of no-confidence votes as critics led by the Conservative Party call for its resignation.

The pressure on Trudeau has worsened since incoming US president Donald Trump threatened a 25-percent tariff on Canadian goods.

Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland resigned in December following a clash with Trudeau on the appropriate response to Trump’s plan.

Trudeau subsequently shook up his cabinet, firing one third of his team in a bid to manage the political fallout.

Conversely, Leader of the Conservative Party, Pierre Poilievre has grown increasingly popular, leading his main rival by 20 points in public opinion polls.