After nearly a decade in power, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau finally bowed to a chorus of criticism that had become too loud to ignore, announcing his resignation on Monday. Among the loudest critics was one of his most loyal and longest-serving deputies.

Pierre Poilievre, the leader of Canada's Conservative Party, is the current front-runner to replace Trudeau as prime minister. Throughout 2024, polls showed Poilievre and the Conservative Party routing Trudeau and the Liberal Party as economic discontent grew and political issues (including the deputy prime minister's surprise resignation last year) rocked the incumbent government.