By Dagny Pawlak, January 6th, 2024
Rumours of Justin Trudeau’s resignation are spreading, but Canada must resist the urge to see this as a solution to its woes. Let’s pause to consider the broader implications of a hasty Trudeau exit. While the Prime Minister’s tenure has been rife with scandals, foreign interference and a seemingly endless stream of discontent, resigning now would do far more harm than good—for the country, for his party, and, perhaps most importantly, for the justice of political accountability.
First, let’s imagine the fallout of Trudeau’s departure. His resignation would throw the already fractured Liberal Party further into disarray, plunging it into a chaotic leadership race. The inevitable proroguing of Parliament would bring the government to a standstill at a time when Canada desperately needs steady hands at the wheel. Inflation continues to gnaw at household budgets, the healthcare system is buckling under immense pressure, and regional divides threaten national unity. In this fragile moment, can Canadians really afford to watch the Liberals squabble over who gets to hold the reins? A months-long spectacle of political infighting would serve no one but the opposition parties, who, let’s be honest, would be right to point out the absurdity of the ruling party’s navel-gazing while the country teeters on the brink.
But even if the Liberals were to emerge with a new leader, would that person stand a chance of turning the tide? The short answer is no. The long answer is absolutely not. The problem is not merely Justin Trudeau—it’s the brand he has built and the policies his government has enacted, which have alienated Canadians from coast to coast. A fresh face might momentarily distract voters, but it won’t erase years of arrogance, scandal and structural damage. A new leader would simply inherit the debris of Trudeau’s tenure, unable to rebuild the party’s fortunes in time for the next election.
And let’s not ignore the insult to political accountability that a resignation would represent. For years, Trudeau’s caucus members have rallied behind him, defending his every misstep and aligning themselves with his vision—or lack thereof. A sudden pivot behind a new leader, disowning their association with Trudeau, is not just opportunistic—it’s a betrayal of the Canadian electorate.
Trudeau’s political decline has been a slow, agonizing spectacle, and it’s only fitting that he remain at the helm to face the inevitable reckoning. Resigning now would allow him to escape the full weight of accountability, robbing Canadians of the ability to deliver their verdict directly. Trudeau must see this through—not for his sake, but for the sake of democracy itself. Let him stand before the electorate, defend his record, and confront the consequences of his governance. Anything less would feel like an abdication of responsibility.
In the end, Trudeau’s resignation might sound like a tempting way to reset Canadian politics, but it would be a false reset. The deeper issues facing the Liberal Party—and the country—would remain unresolved. Canadians deserve better than a political escape hatch. They deserve closure, accountability, and, most of all, the chance to cast their judgment on a leader who has shaped the nation’s trajectory for nearly a decade. Trudeau’s resignation would deny us all of that.
So, Prime Minister, stay the course—not for your sake, but for ours. Face the election, endure the fallout, and let history record the full measure of your tenure. Only then can Canada truly move forward, wiser and, perhaps, a little less naive about the allure of political charisma.
Dagny Pawlak is the Senior Communications Officer at the Macdonald-Laurier Institute of Public Policy and a former National Field Organizer for the Liberal Party of Canada.
