Justin Trudeau is stepping aside as liberal leader and will also resign as prime minister once a new party leader is chosen.
In making the announcement, Trudeau said he had informed the Governor General to prorogue parliament until Mar. 24.
In the announcement, Trudea stated that “This country deserves a real choice in the next election, and it has become clear to me, that if I am having to fight internal battles, I cannpt be the best option in that election.”
When parliament returns the party could face a confidence vote as it deals with trying to pass a spending bill or budget.
Failure to pass that bill would be a first step in paving the way for an election.
NDP leader Jagmeet Singh says the liberals do not deserve another chance as they have let down Canadians.
Bloc leader Yves Francois Blanchet wants Trudeau’s successor to call an election in the spring.
With the liberals falling in the polls behind the conservatives, many liberal MPs urged Trudeau to resign.
An Angus Reid poll at the end of December had the conservatives leading the liberals at 45 to 16 percentage points.
The next session of parliament on Mar 24 will start with a Speech from the Throne.
