Trudeau announces resignation as Liberal Party faces leadership transition and electoral challenges

Justin Trudeau announced he will resign as Prime Minister and leader of the Liberal Party after a successor is chosen. The Governor General has agreed to prorogue Parliament until March 24, allowing time for a leadership campaign before a likely spring election. Senior Liberal figures are considering entering the leadership race, but the party faces significant challenges, trailing the Conservatives by over 20 points in polls. The rules and timeline for the leadership process have not yet been established. Potential candidates include former central bank governor Mark Carney and Industry Minister François-Philippe Champagne. However, many cabinet members lack name recognition, which could hinder their chances in the upcoming election.