Pontiac federal candidates react to Trudeau’s resignation

Pontiac federal candidates react to Trudeau’s resignation

This story has been updated from its original version to include statements from Pontiac MP Sophie Chatel.

Earlier today, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced that he would resign from his role once a new leader has been chosen for the federal Liberal Party, and asked the Governor General to prorogue parliament until March 24. Proroguing effectively ends all business in front of parliament, including legislation, committee work and inquiries.

In his speech, Trudeau said that the next leader of the party would be chosen before parliament returns in a “robust, nation-wide, competitive process”.

CHIP 101.9 requested comment from Pontiac MP Sophie Chatel, who called for a vote on Trudeau’s leadership late 2024. She did not respond in time for publication of this article, but provided an interview on January 10.

In an interview that took place on December 19, just days after the resignation of Finance Minster Chrystia Freeland, Chatel said that the party required strong leadership and unity going into the next election.

Pontiac Conservative Party candidate Brian Nolan said that while he would have liked an election to be called earlier, he was pleased to see Trudeau step down.

Pontiac NDP candidate Gilbert Whiteduck said that the timing of the resignation wasn’t ideal, especially with a new president taking power in the White House at the end of January.