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Politics

Justin Trudeau Announces Resignation as Prime Minister of Canada During a Pivotal Moment for Arts Funding

The Prime Minister will stay on until a leadership race elects the new leader of his Liberal Party, who will then replace him as PM until the next federal election.

Justin Trudeau at NATO Summit in 2024

Justin Trudeau at NATO Summit in 2024

Courtesy Photo

It's the end of an era in Canada as Justin Trudeau announces he will step down as Prime Minister.

The Liberal Party leader has held the country's top political office since 2015. He will stay on while the Liberals hold a leadership race, with the winner becoming the next Prime Minister until an election is called.


Justin Trudeau faced calls from inside his party to step down, with his popularity plummeting amidst a year where incumbent leaders have lost elections globally.

"This country deserves a real choice in the next election, and it has become clear to me that if I'm having to fight internal battles, I cannot be the best option in that election,” Trudeau said.

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The resignation announcement comes as a major piece of arts legislation, the Online Streaming Act, is being implemented. Trudeau's government oversaw the passing of the Streaming Act, introduced as Bill C-11, which served as the first major update of Canada's Broadcasting Act and sought to modernize Canadian arts policy for the digital age.

A federal election is expected soon, with Conservative Party leader — and recent Jordan Peterson podcast guest — Pierre Poilievre ahead in the polls. Poilievre came out last fall against the Streaming Act's requirements that major foreign streamers contribute 5% of Canadian revenues to support Canadian content, likening it to a tax.

"Spotify prices are going up thanks to Trudeau," he posted, alongside a graphic of Trudeau DJing. The regulation does not explicitly mandate streaming services to raise their prices.

It's unclear what a change in government could mean for implementing legislation like the Online Streaming Act, though Poilievre has promised a generally cuts-heavy approach to public funding.

Last year, Trudeau also announced a $32 million increase in funding to the Canada Music Fund, which supports granting bodies FACTOR and Musicaction, and $31 million in funding for festivals and arts performances. The announcements were welcomed by several industry associations.

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In recent years, Trudeau has made headlines for appearing at a handful of concerts in Toronto. After tweeting at Taylor Swift to come to Canada when she first announced the Eras Tour, he later attended with his family at Rogers Centre. When Punjabi star Diljit Dosanjh played the same venue, Trudeau came backstage to congratulate him, recognizing the unique Canadian attendance record. Last year, Canadian songwriter and poet Mustafa penned an open letter to the Prime Minister to protect and speak for the people of Palestine.

While the future of Canadian politics is up in the air, writer John Semley joked on BlueSky that this may have been Trudeau's savviest political decision: resigning before Kendrick Lamar plays "Not Like Us" at the Superbowl.

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Triumph
Courtesy photo

Triumph

FYI

Thousands of Canadians to Join in Triumph's 'Hold On' As a Cross-Country Sing-Along to Celebrate Music Education

The 1979 hit song is this year's Music Monday selection, an annual event by the Coalition of Music Education that unites the country in performances of the same song, on the same day, at the same time.

"Hold On," one of the biggest hits of Canadian Music Hall of Famers Triumph, will gain fresh life from being chosen as the anthem for Music Monday 2025.

On May 5, 2025 Coalition for Music Education will celebrate Music Monday with a cross-country sing-along to raise awareness for music education. This annual event celebrates the unifying power of music as thousands of Canadians join in singing and performing its anthem at their schools and other community events.

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