A brief history of some of Canada’s most memorable political leadership shake-ups
The federal Liberal Party is facing a tumultuous start to 2025 as it grapples with the task of selecting a successor to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. With Canadians set to head to the polls later this year, the pressure has been mounting on Trudeau to make way for new leadership amidst political gridlock, internal strife within the Liberal caucus, and consistently lagging behind the Conservatives in polls for over a year.
Trudeau, aged 53, reluctantly announced on Monday that he would step aside once a new Liberal leader is chosen. In a bid to facilitate this process, he also decided to prorogue Parliament. This move sets the stage for a leadership contest within the party, a scenario that has played out in the past when prime ministers have made their exit.
One such instance was in 1984 when Pierre Trudeau, after 16 years as Liberal leader and most of that time as prime minister, announced his retirement. Following his departure, a leadership contest ensued, ultimately leading to John Turner, a seasoned Liberal, taking the helm. However, Turner’s tenure was short-lived as the Progressive Conservatives, led by Brian Mulroney, swept to power in the subsequent election.
Similarly, in 1993, Mulroney announced his departure as PC leader, paving the way for Kim Campbell to become Canada’s first female prime minister. However, her time in office was brief, as the Progressive Conservatives suffered a significant defeat in the 1993 election.
The transition of power continued in 2003 when Paul Martin succeeded Jean Chrétien as Liberal leader. Martin went on to lead the party to a minority government in 2004 but lost a non-confidence vote the following year, resulting in Stephen Harper’s Conservatives taking over.
In provincial politics, Ontario saw a sudden leadership change in 2012 when Dalton McGuinty stepped down as Liberal leader. Kathleen Wynne emerged victorious in the ensuing leadership contest, becoming the province’s first female premier. Wynne led the party to a majority government in 2014, ending a 15-year Liberal reign in Ontario.
As the Liberal Party navigates the selection of a new leader in 2025, the past transitions of power serve as a reminder of the challenges and opportunities that come with leadership changes in Canadian politics. The road ahead may be rocky, but history has shown that renewal and rejuvenation are essential for the vitality of political parties and the democratic process.
