Justin Trudeau resigns

Members of the media may directly contact:
 

Srdjan Vucetic (English and French)

Full Professor, Graduate School of Public and International Affairs (GSPIA), Faculty of Social Sciences.

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"This news is unwelcome domestic instability at a time of growing global instability. With Trudeau's resignation, the Liberals will name an interim leader to lead while a short special convention for the new leader is being set up. But the Liberals have a minority in the House, leaving its leadership with an unhappy dilemma: face a no confidence vote or prorogue parliament."

Adam Dodek (English and French)

Full Professor, Faculty of Law - Common Law Section

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Professor Dodek is leading Canadian constitutional expert who provided expert commentary and analysis on the 2008-09 parliamentary crisis and prorogation. He is an expert on the role of the Governor General.  

"The Governor General has discretion to consider a request to prorogue Parliament but such discretion should be exercised very cautiously. The Governor General should not be placed in the difficult situation of having to bend to the needs of the Liberal Party.  The Liberal Party should have to march to the parliamentary timeline and have a very short leadership contest to replace Justin Trudeau as leader of the party and as prime minister.

Errol Mendes (English only)

Full Professor, Faculty of Law - Common Law Section

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"It is constitutionally possible for Parliament to be prorogued to allow for first a war table led by an interim Liberal Party leader. This will allow Canada to prepare for the imminent attack by Donald Trump and the U.S. against Canada’s economy and allow a short Liberal leadership race to choose a new leader by March 24, when Parliament will be called back to session.

Some will argue the proroguing is unconstitutional, but I disagree and it is significantly different from the unconstitutional proroguing by former Canadian PM Stephen Harper to avoid a confidence vote in 2008."

Jennifer Wallner (English only)

Assistant Professor, School of Political Studies, Faculty of Social Sciences

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Professor Wallner's expertise includes Canadian politics and federalism.

Charles-Étienne Beaudry (English & French)

Lecturer, Political Studies, Faculty of Social Sciences

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"We're entering a turbulent period for Canada, but it's surely possible to make the most of these changes by mobilizing our parliamentary and democratic institutions, and by listening to our vibrant public opinion. One thing is clear: this is no time for unhealthy partisanship."