Justin Trudeau resigns: He's not the first Canadian prime minister to step down amid rising unpopularity
He's not even the first Trudeau to do this — 3 PMs who resigned
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.
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.
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.
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.
