Canada PM Justin Trudeau Has Resigned, Here’s A Look At Who Might Replace Him

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau resigned as PM and also as leader of Liberal Party on Monday (January 6) ending a long stint of nearly 10 years at the helm of Canadian government. When he took office, Trudeau was hailed as someone infusing young blood in the power corridors of the country. But recent years have seen him go on backfoot over variety of issues and even because of revolt-like situation within the Liberal Party. After announcing his resignation on Monday, Trudeau said that he will remain in office till Liberal Party chooses its next leader. Liberal Party leaders like Chrystia Freeland, Anita Anand and others are said to be in the race to become the next PM.

Let’s take a look at who might be Canada’s next premier:

Chrystia Freeland

Chrystia Freeland is a former colleague of Trudeau from his cabinet. Freeland held the position of finance minister. She is considered to be one of the powerful leaders in the Liberal Party. Freeland had a spat with Trudeau and left office in December 2024. In her statement at the time, Freeland said that Trudeau wanted her to take up some other position in the cabinet.

Her resignation was symbolic as it came just before she was due to deliver a key economic address. Calls for Trudeau to step down rose after Freeland’s resignation.

Anita Anand

Canada has a sizeable Indian diaspora and Anita Anand is a leader from the Indo-Canadian community who is in the race to become Liberal Party leader and Canada’s next PM.

In past, Anand has held several portfolios like Defense, Public Services and Procurement. She was also President of the Treasury Board.

The 57-year-old is an Oxford University graduate and is an MP from Oakville

Melanie Joly

Melanie Joly has been a prominent figure in Trudeau’s government and Canadian politics in general. She was appointed as foreign minister in 2021.

Before that she held three other cabinet positions.

Melanie Joly (45) is also an Oxford University graduate. She travelled to Ukraine several times to express Canada’s solidarity with Ukraine amid its war with Russia.

Mark Carney

The 59-year-old Harvard graduate has not held a public office but has a very strong background in economics. In past, he has served in Bank of Canada as well as in Bank of England.

Francois-Philippe Champagne

Francois-Philippe Champage is Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry in current government. He won election for the first time in 2015.

He has previously held cabinet roles related to international trade and foreign affairs.