Azra Hoosen | ah@radioislam.co.za
10 January 2025 | 15:30 CAT
4 min read

After nearly 10 years in office, Justin Trudeau announced that he was stepping down as leader of Canada’s Liberal Party. His decision comes amidst growing tensions within his party and a noticeable dip in public support. Trudeau’s time as prime minister has been a mix of highs and lows. He championed big issues like fighting climate change with a national carbon tax and working towards reconciliation with Indigenous communities. But critics say some of his actions, like pausing the carbon tax in certain regions, have undermined his larger goals.

As the Liberal Party looks for new leadership, Canadians are left reflecting on Trudeau’s complex legacy and what’s next for the country. Radio Islam spoke to Political science professor Stewart Prest to gain insight into Trudeau’s impact on Canadian politics and the challenges that lie ahead for the party and the nation.

Prest stated: “It is a mixed and difficult legacy to assess in some ways.” He said that Canadian politics tends to follow a cyclical pattern. We often see one party in power for a couple of terms before Canadians grow tired of them and start looking for an alternative.

He recalled that by 2015, the Conservative government under Stephen Harper had become very unpopular, largely due to what many perceived as a negative and divisive style of politics. When Justin Trudeau and the Liberal Party came onto the scene, they brought a sense of positivity and optimism. They focused on trying to unite Canadians, which felt like a refreshing change at the time. However, over nearly a decade in office, Trudeau himself became a “polarising figure”.

Prest noted that while Trudeau’s emphasis on positivity initially resonated, some Canadians started to view it as “moral smugness”, and that began to wear thin. “On top of that, the significant challenges of recent years—rampant inflation, the COVID-19 pandemic, and its associated restrictions—frustrated many Canadians,” he added. People grew angry about limitations on their freedoms during the pandemic and, more critically, about the rising cost of living and a growing sense of unaffordability. He believes, ultimately, it’s the feeling of being left behind that has brought the Liberals to this challenging point.

When asked about Trudeau’s impact on indigenous issues, Prest stated that it is significant, but it is not as transformative as many would have hoped. It is a step forward, but not as fast or as complete as needed. The challenge remains to move beyond symbolism and deliver real, lasting change for Indigenous communities in Canada.

Prest notes that the impact of Trudeau’s departure on the Liberal Party, especially among younger voters, remains uncertain. He points out that the party has become increasingly unpopular with this demographic, who feel neglected by the government, especially on issues like housing, job opportunities, and education. A decade ago, younger voters were key to the party’s success, but now they feel the government isn’t addressing their priorities. Trudeau’s exit offers the party a chance to reset, but Prest believes it’s too early to tell if they can regain support. He suggests the party will need a significant shift in direction, particularly on issues like housing, which are long-term projects that may be seen as too little too late. The new leader will have to rebuild the damaged relationship with younger voters.

Who could potentially replace him as the party leader?

“This is the focus of much speculation in Canada at the moment. We are waiting to find out the exact rules of the leadership race to come. Normally, leadership competitions for parties in Canada involve the vote of all members, and, they will rank the choices available to them,” he explained.

Prest suggests the upcoming leadership race for the Liberal Party could potentially be between two key figures: former finance minister Chrystia Freeland and Mark Carney, former governor of both the Bank of Canada and the Bank of England. Freeland has significant respect within the party for her role in supporting Trudeau’s agenda and encouraging his departure. She has the backing of many colleagues within the party. On the other hand, Carney, though not currently an MP, holds considerable international respect and could make a move despite not being part of the current Liberal government.

Other potential candidates, including cabinet ministers and former British Columbia Premier Christy Clark, might join the race but are seen as less likely contenders. “But we have to wait for the rules to be clarified, and then we have to see who is actually going to stand for office. But having said all that, it’s going to be a short race, which means it’s going to be a race that favors those who already have a strong reputation,” he added. Overall, Prest believes the leadership race will likely come down to Freeland or Carney.

Possible challenges and opportunities for Canada’s future political landscape

Prest outlines several significant challenges and opportunities for Canada following Justin Trudeau’s resignation. Key challenges include addressing the concerns of voters feeling left behind, particularly around affordability and housing access, as well as managing increasing concerns about immigration policy. There is also the looming issue of Canada’s relationship with the United States, especially with an unpredictable political climate under a potential President Trump.

Many Canadians were frustrated by recent comments about Canada being “just another state,” signalling a lack of respect for Canada’s sovereignty. Prest believes Canada must assert its sovereignty more clearly while maintaining a strong and cooperative relationship with the U.S. “I feel like we, Canada, have to do more to make it really clear that the country’s sovereignty is not to be the subject of jokes and is not negotiable. We are happy to work with the United States as partners, but we are not to be treated as something to be taken for granted or kicked around as a punchline. So, this continues to be an ongoing challenge for the country, even how to respond to this,” he said.

According to Prest these interconnected issues will shape Canada’s political landscape moving forward.

LISTEN to the full interview with Ml Ibrahim Daya and Political science professor Stewart Prest, here.