When is Trudeau stepping down? The PM hasn't got a date in mind, but says it'll happen 'reasonably quickly'

Justin Trudeau has injected a measure of confusion into federal politics after refusing to provide a specific date for when he’ll step down as prime minister.

The Liberal Party is set to choose its new leader on March 9, meaning either Mark Carney, Chrystia Freeland, Karina Gould or Frank Baylis will replace Trudeau as the Grits’ leader this weekend.

There had been a general assumption that his successor as leader of the party would immediately become prime minister as well.

But when asked by a reporter this morning when he’ll step down, Trudeau said: “That will be up to a conversation between the new leader and myself to figure out how long a transition is needed.

Justin Trudeau says he should be stepping down 'reasonably quickly,' but doesn't give a specific date. pic.twitter.com/NVUfwS1hCU

— KelownaNow (@KelownaNow) March 4, 2025

“It should happen reasonably quickly, but there’s a lot of things to do in a transition like this, particularly at this complicated time in the world.”

Trudeau announced his resignation on Jan. 6, when he said he’d stay in charge of the country – and the Liberal Party – until a new leader was chosen.

He also prorogued Parliament until March 24.

The prime minister made the comment today while discussing Canada’s response to US President Donald Trump’s decision to move ahead with a 25 per cent tariff on all Canadian goods minus energy, plus a 10 per cent tariff on energy products.