If you scrolled through TikTok or flipped on a news broadcast lately, you’ve probably seen the same question echoing from St. John's to Victoria: why is Justin Trudeau still in office? Honestly, it's a fair thing to ask. By the end of 2024, his approval ratings had cratered to about 33%. People were frustrated—really frustrated—with the cost of living, the housing crisis, and that feeling of "incumbent fatigue" that hits every government after a decade in power.
But here is the twist. If you are asking this today, in early 2026, the answer is actually quite simple: He isn't.
Wait, what?
Yeah, the news cycle moves fast, and if you haven't been glued to CPAC, you might have missed the massive political earthquake that leveled Ottawa just about a year ago. On January 6, 2025, Justin Trudeau officially announced his intention to resign as Prime Minister and leader of the Liberal Party. It was a "drop the mic" moment that few saw coming that quickly, even though the writing had been on the wall for months.
So, why do people still think he’s there? And more importantly, how did he manage to hang on as long as he did before the floor finally gave way?
The Great Survival Act: How He Held On Until 2025
For years, the reason why Justin Trudeau stayed in office despite minority governments and sagging polls wasn't magic—it was math.
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Back in 2022, the Liberals signed a "Supply and Confidence Agreement" with Jagmeet Singh and the NDP. This wasn't a formal coalition, but it was basically a promise: the NDP would vote with the government on major bills (like the budget) to keep them from falling, in exchange for things like dental care and pharmacare.
It worked. For a while.
But by late 2024, the gears started grinding. The NDP realized that being tethered to an unpopular government was hurting their own brand. Jagmeet Singh officially ripped up the agreement in September 2024. Suddenly, the Liberals were flying without a net.
The 2024 Caucus Revolt
You might remember the "October Surprise" that wasn't. A group of Liberal backbenchers—nearly two dozen of them—signed a letter basically telling Trudeau it was time to go. They were terrified of a "crushing defeat" at the hands of Pierre Poilievre’s Conservatives.
Trudeau, ever the fighter, faced them down in a closed-door meeting. He didn't budge. He convinced enough of them that he was the only one who could take on the looming threat of a second Donald Trump term in the U.S.
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The Trump Factor and the January Resignation
The real catalyst for the end of the Trudeau era wasn't just domestic. It was the geopolitical shift south of the border. When Donald Trump won the 2024 U.S. election, the pressure on Ottawa reached a boiling point.
Trump immediately threatened 25% tariffs on Canadian goods. In the middle of this, Trudeau’s star deputy, Chrystia Freeland, resigned in mid-December 2024. Her departure was the "devastating blow" that finally broke the dam. She publicly questioned if the PM could handle the "America First" trade war.
On January 6, 2025, Trudeau stood at Rideau Cottage and said he was done. He didn't leave that afternoon, though. He stayed on as a "caretaker" while the party searched for a successor, and he even prorogued Parliament until March 2024 to give the Liberals breathing room to reorganize without facing a non-confidence vote they were sure to lose.
Who is in charge now?
If you look at the PMO today in 2026, you’ll see Mark Carney at the desk. The former "rock star central banker" took over the Liberal leadership and led them into a snap election in April 2025.
Surprisingly, Carney managed to pull off a third consecutive minority government. Why? Because while Canadians were tired of Trudeau, many were still wary of Pierre Poilievre’s brand of populism, especially during a trade war. Poilievre actually lost his own seat in that 2025 election, which sent the Conservative Party into its own tailspin of leadership reviews.
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Why the "Why is He Still There?" Question Persists
The reason you still see people asking why is Justin Trudeau still in office is likely due to the "caretaker" period and the way Canadian transitions work.
- The Long Goodbye: Trudeau remained the face of the government during the leadership race through early 2025.
- The Minority Habit: Canada has been in a cycle of minority governments since 2019. This creates a permanent campaign feel where the Prime Minister always looks like they are about to be kicked out, yet somehow stays.
- Social Media Lag: Algorithms often serve up old "Trudeau Must Go" protests or news clips from 2023 and 2024, making it feel like the current reality hasn't changed.
What Actually Happened to the NDP and Conservatives?
The 2025 election changed the landscape. The NDP, after propping up Trudeau for years, got hammered. They lost "recognized party" status in the House, falling to just seven seats. Jagmeet Singh lost his own seat in Burnaby Central.
Meanwhile, the Bloc Québécois surged, becoming a massive power player in the current 2026 Parliament.
If you’re looking for the "actionable" takeaway here, it’s that Canadian politics has moved into a "post-Trudeau" era that looks a lot like the "Trudeau" era—unstable, divided, and governed by thin margins.
What to Watch for in 2026
If you want to stay ahead of the curve, don't look for Trudeau in the headlines; look for how Mark Carney handles the ongoing trade disputes and the "restlessness" in the provinces.
- By-elections: Keep an eye on the University–Rosedale by-election in early 2026. It’s a bellwether for whether the Liberal "Carney Bump" is real or just a temporary relief from the Trudeau years.
- The CPC Leadership: The Conservatives are still sorting out their identity after Poilievre’s 2025 upset. Who they pick next will determine if the Liberals can survive until 2029.
- Provincial Shifts: With Doug Ford still leading in Ontario but facing a "time for change" sentiment (48% of Ontarians say they want him out according to January 2026 polls), the federal-provincial dynamic is getting messy.
Basically, the era of Justin Trudeau is over. The era of trying to fix what he left behind—and the political system that kept him there—has just begun.
Next Steps for Staying Informed:
To get the most accurate picture of the current Canadian government, check the latest House of Commons seating charts or follow the results of the upcoming federal by-elections. This will give you a real-time look at whether the Liberal minority is gaining strength or if another election is lurking just around the corner.