The Resignations and Defeats of Former Prime Ministers
Justin Trudeau announced on Jan. 6 that he plans to step down as prime minister due to poor polling numbers and ongoing turmoil within the Liberal Party.
His decision followed internal struggles within his caucus, which intensified after losing key Liberal strongholds in byelections. Despite rejecting earlier calls for resignation, Trudeau finally made the decision after the high-profile departure of Deputy Minister and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland on Dec. 16.
After considering over the holidays and facing pressure from regional caucuses, Trudeau stated that he would resign once a new leader is chosen by the party.
Let’s take a look at how the previous prime ministers of Canada in the past century exited from politics.
Stephen Harper
Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper addresses media alongside Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott (not pictured) during a joint press conference in Parliament Hill in Ottawa on June 9, 2014. Cole Burston/AFP via Getty Images
Former Prime Minister Stephen Harper took office after his Conservative Party defeated the Paul Martin Liberals in the 2006 federal election. After serving two minority governments in 2006 and 2008, Harper won a majority in the 2011 election.
Harper’s nine-year leadership ended in 2015 when the Conservatives were defeated by the Trudeau Liberals, forcing them back to the opposition.
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Harper announced his resignation as party leader on Oct. 19, 2015 but continued as an MP until Aug. 26, 2016.
Paul Martin
Paul Martin took over the Liberal Party leadership following the retirement of former Prime Minister Jean Chrétien in 2003.
Chrétien’s resignation indicated Martin’s victory in the long-standing feud between them that dated back over a decade.
Canadian Prime Minister Paul Martin speaks to reporters in Ottawa on Nov. 30, 2004. Donald Weber/Getty Images
Despite their differences, Chrétien appointed Martin as his finance minister, a post he held until 2002. Martin claimed he was ousted by Chrétien, while Chrétien maintained Martin chose to resign.
Martin became leader in September 2003 and was sworn in as prime minister two months later. He managed to secure a minority government in the 2004 election despite a drop in the party’s popularity.
Martin’s government collapsed in November 2005 after a non-confidence motion by the Conservatives, supported by the NDP and Bloc Québécois.
He lost the subsequent 2006 election to Harper’s Conservatives, resigned as party leader, and continued as an MP until 2008.
Jean Chrétien
Jean Chrétien rose to power in 1993 after defeating the Progressive Conservative government led by Kim Campbell. He was the first prime minister since 1945 to win three consecutive majorities, but faced challenges within his own party.
The strained relationship between Chrétien and Martin troubled his prime ministership, particularly after losing seats in the 1997 election.
His third term was marked by strained relations with the U.S., scandals, and internal discontent.
Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chrétien speaks to the press after a working session on the second day of the Group of Eight (G8) summit in Évian-les-Bains, France, June 2, 2003. Gabriel Bouys/AFP via Getty Images
His reluctance to send troops to Iraq in 2003 strained relations further with the U.S. The Sponsorship Scandal in 2002 led to accusations of corruption and tarnished Chrétien’s reputation. He resigned earlier than planned due to pressure from the Martin camp and left the party at the 2003 Liberal leadership convention on Nov. 13.
