Justin Trudeau is facing mounting pressure to resign as Canadian Prime Minister. His approval ratings have plummeted, and even some members of his own party have called for his resignation.
Pierre Poilievre, leader of the opposition Conservative Party, is looking to capitalize on Trudeau’s declining popularity. Poilievre, who has been appealing to both traditional conservatives and populist voters, is hoping to win the next election, which is scheduled for October 2025.
A CBC News poll released a year before the election found that the Conservatives hold a 20-point lead over the Liberals.
While Trudeau faced a non-confidence vote in parliament in September, initiated by Poilievre, the Conservatives failed to gain enough support from other parties to oust him. However, with Trudeau’s approval rating below 30%, Poilievre could still call for more non-confidence votes.
Some members of the Liberal Party have dismissed calls for Trudeau’s resignation as a distraction, claiming that it is only a small minority who are pushing for his departure.
“Realistically, there is little chance of Trudeau stepping down,” Jamie Tronnes, Executive Director at the Center for North American Prosperity and Security, told Digital.
“Historically, when leaders have been pushed out by Canadian political parties, it has been due to a systematic and organized effort, usually led by an heir apparent or their supporters. There is no such person in this case, at least, not one who is organized and supported by the Liberal caucus,” Tronnes added.
Amidst Trudeau’s declining popularity and calls for his resignation, there are growing concerns about the rising cost of living and a shortage of affordable housing. Many Canadians believe that the influx of immigrants is exacerbating these issues.
Tronnes said the rapid influx of newcomers has put a strain on the Canadian economy, housing, healthcare, and other institutions. He believes that if an election were held now, Poilievre would become Canada’s next Prime Minister.
In an effort to address these concerns, Trudeau announced a reduction in Canada’s immigration target, lowering it from 500,000 to 395,000 permanent residents in 2025. The figures will drop significantly in 2026 and 2027.
“While it’s clear our economy needs newcomers, we see the pressures facing our country, and we must adapt our policies accordingly,” Marc Miller, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship said in a statement.
“These changes will make immigration work for our country so that everyone has access to the quality jobs, homes and support they need to thrive. We have listened to Canadians, and we will continue to protect the integrity of our system and grow our population responsibly,” Miller added.
Reducing the number of immigrants is expected to help alleviate pressure in the housing market, with the housing supply gap expected to decrease by approximately 670,000 units by the end of 2027, according to the Government of Canada.
Trudeau’s shift on immigration represents a major departure from previous Canadian immigration policies, which traditionally welcomed newcomers to foster economic growth and supported asylum seekers.
Canada’s population has grown in recent years, reaching 41 million in April 2024. Immigration accounted for almost 98% of this growth in 2023, according to official data from the Canadian government.
Trudeau has stated that Canada’s population growth needs to stabilize and that adjustments need to be made to social programs before the country can welcome new immigrants in the future.
Tronnes told Digital that, “There is an old saying in Canadian politics — governments defeat themselves. In this case, Trudeau’s reluctance to leave may prove it true.”