History of Justin Trudeau in Timeline
Justin Trudeau, Canada's 23rd and current Prime Minister since 2015, leads the Liberal Party (since 2013). His tenure includes a prior role as Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs and Youth (2015-2018).
October 30, 1917: Death of Talbot Mercer Papineau
On October 30, 1917, Major Talbot Mercer Papineau, Justin Trudeau's fifth cousin, twice removed, was killed during the Battle of Passchendaele.
January 28, 1933: Death of Margaret Mary Theodora Macdonald
On January 28, 1933, Margaret Mary Theodora Macdonald, the first child born to a sitting Canadian Prime Minister, died. Justin Trudeau would become the second.
June 23, 1971: Pregnancy Announcement
On June 23, 1971, the Prime Minister's Office announced that Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau's wife was pregnant and due in December.
December 25, 1971: Justin Trudeau's Birth
On December 25, 1971, Justin Pierre James Trudeau was born. He would later become the 23rd Prime Minister of Canada.
January 16, 1972: Baptism at Notre Dame Basilica
On January 16, 1972, Justin Trudeau was baptized at Ottawa's Notre Dame Basilica, marking his first public appearance.
April 14, 1972: Nixon's Toast
On April 14, 1972, U.S. President Richard Nixon toasted to the future Prime Minister of Canada, Justin Pierre Trudeau, during a gala hosted by Trudeau's parents.
December 25, 1973: Birth of Alexandre (Sacha) Trudeau
On December 25, 1973, Justin Trudeau's younger brother, Alexandre (Sacha), was born.
October 2, 1975: Birth of Michel Trudeau
On October 2, 1975, Justin Trudeau's younger brother, Michel, was born.
1976: Enrolled in French Immersion
In 1976, Justin Trudeau was enrolled in the French immersion program at Rockcliffe Park Public School.
1977: Parents' Separation
In 1977, Justin Trudeau's parents announced their separation when he was five years old.
September 1979: Move to Stornoway
In September 1979, Justin Trudeau and his brothers lived on the top floor of Stornoway while repairs were done after his father's government was defeated, and his mother purchased a new home nearby.
October 1979: Nanny's Comment
In October 1979, Justin Trudeau's nanny Dianne Lavergne noted that he was a 'mommy's boy' after his parents separated.
1979: Party with Largest Vote Share did not Win Most Seats
For the first time since 1979, the party that garnered the largest share of the national popular vote did not win the most seats; the Liberals under Trudeau had 33.1% of the popular vote, while the Conservatives under Andrew Scheer had 34.4%.
February 1980: Return to Prime Minister's Residence
In February 1980, Justin Trudeau and his brothers returned to the prime minister's official residence after his father's election victory.
1980: Liberal Gains in Quebec
In 1980, the Liberal Party, achieved a significant victory in Quebec, winning 40 seats. This was the party's best performance in the province since Justin Trudeau's father led them to a near-sweep in 1980.
June 1984: Move to Cormier House
In June 1984, after his father's retirement, Justin Trudeau moved with his family into his father's home at 1418 Pine Avenue, Montreal, known as Cormier House.
1984: Divorce Granted
In 1984, the Supreme Court of Ontario granted Justin Trudeau's parents a no-fault divorce.
1985: Atwal Convicted for Assault
In 1985, Atwal had previously been convicted for the assault on former BC premier Ujjal Dosanjh.
1986: Atwal Convicted for Shooting
In 1986, Atwal had previously been convicted for the shooting and attempted murder of Indian Cabinet minister Malkiat Singh Sidhu.
1988: Supported John Turner in federal election
In 1988, Justin Trudeau supported Liberal Party leader John Turner in the federal election, marking his early involvement and support for the Liberal Party.
November 13, 1998: Death of Michel Trudeau
On November 13, 1998, Justin Trudeau's younger brother, Michel, died.
1998: Rediscovering Faith
In 1998, after the death of his brother Michel, Justin Trudeau participated in an Alpha course and rediscovered his Catholic faith.
August 2000: Kokanee Summit Incident
In August 2000, Justin Trudeau attended the Kokanee Summit, where he was accused of groping an unnamed female reporter, leading to a subsequent apology.
October 2000: Eulogy at Father's Funeral
In October 2000, Justin Trudeau delivered a prominent eulogy at his father's state funeral, which was widely praised and rebroadcast.
2000: Kokanee Glacier Alpine Campaign
In 2000, Justin Trudeau and his family started the Kokanee Glacier Alpine Campaign for winter sports safety after his brother Michel's death.
2001: SNC-Lavalin Paid Bribes in Libya
Between 2001 and 2011, SNC-Lavalin paid CA$48 million in bribes in Libya to officials in the government of Muammar Gaddafi.
2001: Arabian Nights-Themed Gala
In the spring of 2001, Justin Trudeau wore brownface makeup at an Arabian Nights-themed gala while he was a teacher at West Point Grey Academy.
2002: Engineering Studies
From 2002, Justin Trudeau studied engineering at the École Polytechnique de Montréal but did not graduate.
2002: Chaired Katimavik youth program
In 2002, Justin Trudeau became the chair of the Katimavik youth program, a project initiated by a long-time family friend, Jacques Hébert. This marked an early step in his involvement in youth-focused initiatives.
2002: Criticism of Avalanche Warning System Funding Cut
In 2002, Justin Trudeau criticized the British Columbia government's decision to stop funding a public avalanche warning system.
2002: Return to Montreal
In 2002, Justin Trudeau returned to Montreal to further his studies after teaching in Vancouver.
2002: Panelist on CBC Radio's Canada Reads
In 2002, Justin Trudeau served as a panelist on CBC Radio's Canada Reads series, where he championed Wayne Johnston's novel, "The Colony of Unrequited Dreams". This appearance highlighted his interest in Canadian literature and culture.
June 2003: Reconnection with Sophie Grégoire
In June 2003, Justin Trudeau reconnected with Sophie Grégoire, his brother's childhood friend, when they co-hosted a charity ball, leading to them dating.
2003: Co-hosted tribute to Jean Chrétien
In 2003, Justin Trudeau, along with Olympian Charmaine Crooks, co-hosted a tribute to outgoing prime minister Jean Chrétien at the Liberal Party's leadership convention, indicating his increasing involvement in the party.
2003: Speech Recognized
In 2003, a CBC book included Justin Trudeau's eulogy in its list of significant Canadian events from the past fifty years.
April 2004: Inaugurated Trudeau Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies
In April 2004, Justin Trudeau and his brother Alexandre inaugurated the Trudeau Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies at the University of Toronto, which later became part of the Munk School of Global Affairs, demonstrating their commitment to academic research in peace and conflict resolution.
October 2004: Engagement to Sophie Grégoire
In October 2004, Justin Trudeau and Sophie Grégoire became engaged.
2004: Withdrawal from Master's Program
In 2004, Justin Trudeau started a master's degree in environmental geography at McGill but withdrew to seek public office.
May 28, 2005: Marriage to Sophie Grégoire
On May 28, 2005, Justin Trudeau married Sophie Grégoire in a ceremony at Montreal's Sainte-Madeleine d'Outremont Church.
2005: Fought against a proposed zinc mine near Nahanni River
In 2005, Justin Trudeau actively opposed a proposed $100 million zinc mine, arguing that it would poison the Nahanni River, a United Nations World Heritage Site. He emphasized the river's magnificence and the inappropriateness of mining in that location.
September 17, 2006: Master of ceremonies at Darfur crisis rally
On September 17, 2006, Justin Trudeau served as the master of ceremonies at a Toronto rally organized by Roméo Dallaire, advocating for Canadian involvement in resolving the Darfur crisis. This event showcased his engagement with international humanitarian issues.
October 2006: Criticized Quebec nationalism
In October 2006, Justin Trudeau voiced criticism of Quebec nationalism, generally describing political nationalism as outdated and irrelevant to modern Quebec, leading to controversy and debate within the Liberal Party.
2006: Chaired Katimavik youth program
In 2006, Justin Trudeau concluded his tenure as the chair of the Katimavik youth program, a role he had held since 2002. This period marked an early chapter in his career, focusing on youth development and engagement.
2006: Hosted the Giller Prize ceremony
In 2006, Justin Trudeau hosted the presentation ceremony for the Giller Prize for literature, further showcasing his involvement in and support for Canadian literary achievements.
2006: Supported Gerard Kennedy in Liberal leadership race
In 2006, Justin Trudeau supported Gerard Kennedy for the leadership of the Liberal Party and introduced him during the candidates' final speeches. After Kennedy withdrew, Trudeau supported Stéphane Dion, the eventual winner.
2006: Task Force Chair
In 2006, Justin Trudeau was appointed as chair of the Liberal Party's Task Force on Youth Renewal.
2006: Chaired task force on youth renewal
In 2006, after the Liberal Party's defeat in the federal election, Justin Trudeau was appointed to chair a task force on youth renewal, signaling his growing influence within the party and focus on engaging younger demographics.
2006: Riding of Papineau fell to the Bloc Québécois
In 2006, the Papineau riding, which had been held by the Liberal Party for 53 years, fell to the Bloc Québécois, setting the stage for Trudeau's later attempt to win back the riding for the Liberals.
April 29, 2007: Won Liberal nomination in Papineau
On April 29, 2007, Justin Trudeau secured the Liberal party's nomination in Papineau, defeating Mary Deros and Basilio Giordano. This victory marked a significant step towards his entry into federal politics.
2007: The Great War Miniseries
In 2007, Justin Trudeau starred in the CBC Television miniseries 'The Great War', portraying Major Talbot Mercer Papineau.
2007: Sought Liberal nomination in Papineau
In early 2007, amid rumors of running in Outremont, Justin Trudeau announced his intention to seek the Liberal nomination in the Papineau riding for the next general election, signaling his ambition to enter federal politics.
October 14, 2008: Elected as Member of Parliament for Papineau
On October 14, 2008, Justin Trudeau was narrowly elected as the Member of Parliament for Papineau, defeating incumbent Vivian Barbot of the Bloc Québécois. This victory marked his entry into federal politics and the beginning of his parliamentary career.
December 2008: Ignatieff named leader as Trudeau did not enter the race
In December 2008, Michael Ignatieff was named leader of the Liberal Party after Justin Trudeau did not enter the race, despite being seen as a potential candidate.
2008: Mentioned as potential Liberal leader after Dion's resignation
After Stéphane Dion's resignation as Liberal leader in 2008, Justin Trudeau's name was mentioned as a potential candidate. Polls showed him as a favorite among Canadians for the position, highlighting his rising profile.
2008: Entered Parliament as a member of the Official Opposition
Following the 2008 election, in which the Conservative Party won a minority government, Justin Trudeau entered parliament as a member of the Official Opposition, beginning his role as a legislator.
2008: Camping Memories
In 2008, Justin Trudeau stated he enjoyed camping with his father the most, because that was where his father was just a dad.
2008: Elected to House of Commons
In 2008, Justin Trudeau was elected to represent the riding of Papineau in the House of Commons.
April 2009: Co-chaired Liberal Party's national convention
In April 2009, Justin Trudeau co-chaired the Liberal Party's national convention in Vancouver, indicating his growing influence and involvement within the party's organizational activities.
2009: Canada Lost UN Security Council Bid Under Harper
In 2009, Canada had failed an attempt to join the Security Council under Prime Minister Stephen Harper.
2009: Opposition Critic for Youth and Multiculturalism
In 2009, Justin Trudeau became the Liberal Party's Official Opposition critic for youth and multiculturalism.
2009: Trudeau's Reflection on Parents' Marriage
In 2009, Justin Trudeau reflected on his parents' marriage, stating they loved each other passionately but his mother was never an equal partner in his father's life of duty and country.
September 2010: Reassigned as critic for youth, citizenship, and immigration
In September 2010, Justin Trudeau was reassigned as the Liberal Party's critic for youth, citizenship, and immigration. During this time, he voiced concerns about the government's legislation targeting human smuggling, arguing it would penalize the victims.
2010: Comments about Alberta surfaced during by-election
During the leadership campaign in November 2012, comments Justin Trudeau had made in a 2010 interview surfaced, where he stated, "Canada isn't doing well right now because it's Albertans who control our community and socio-democratic agenda."
2010: Advocated for increased relief efforts after Haiti earthquake
In 2010, Justin Trudeau advocated for increased Canadian relief efforts following the Haiti earthquake. He sought more accessible immigration procedures for Haitians moving to Canada during the crisis, reflecting his engagement with humanitarian issues.
2010: Critic for Citizenship and Immigration
In 2010, Justin Trudeau became the critic for citizenship and immigration.
August 2011: Numbered Company Assets
As of August 2011, the first numbered company Trudeau and his brothers were given by their father had assets of $1.2 million.
2011: Seen as potential leader after Ignatieff's resignation
After the Liberal Party's poor showing in the 2011 election, and Michael Ignatieff's subsequent resignation, Justin Trudeau was again considered a potential candidate to lead the party. This speculation marked a significant moment in his career.
2011: SNC-Lavalin Paid Bribes in Libya
Between 2001 and 2011, SNC-Lavalin paid CA$48 million in bribes in Libya to officials in the government of Muammar Gaddafi.
2011: Importance of Personal Faith
In 2011, Justin Trudeau stated that his personal faith is an extremely important part of who he is and the values he tries to lead with.
2011: Critic for Secondary Education and Sport
In 2011, Justin Trudeau was appointed as a critic for secondary education and sport.
2011: Re-elected in Papineau as Liberal Party fell to third-party standing
In the 2011 federal election, Justin Trudeau was re-elected in Papineau. However, the Liberal Party experienced a significant setback, falling to third-party standing in the House of Commons with only thirty-four seats.
2011: Liberals won 34 seats in the federal election
Justin Trudeau led the Liberals to a decisive victory in the federal election on October 19, 2015. The Liberals won 184 of the 338 seats, with 39.5% of the popular vote, for a strong majority government; a gain of 150 seats compared to the 2011 federal election.
March 31, 2012: Won charity boxing match against Patrick Brazeau
On March 31, 2012, Justin Trudeau participated in a charity boxing match against Conservative senator Patrick Brazeau for the Fight for the Cure event, and won in the third round. The result was considered an upset victory.
June 2012: Received calls to reconsider leadership decision after Rae's announcement
In June 2012, after interim leader Bob Rae announced he would not be entering the race, Justin Trudeau received a "tsunami" of calls from supporters to reconsider his earlier decision not to seek the leadership.
July 2012: Stated he would reconsider decision to not seek Liberal leadership
In July 2012, Justin Trudeau stated that he would reconsider his earlier decision not to seek the Liberal leadership and would announce his final decision at the end of the summer. This reconsideration marked a pivotal moment in his political career.
September 26, 2012: Reports emerged that Trudeau would launch leadership bid
On September 26, 2012, multiple media outlets began reporting that Justin Trudeau would launch his bid for the leadership of the Liberal Party the following week, although he faced criticism for his perceived lack of substance.
October 2, 2012: Launched bid for Liberal Party leadership
On October 2, 2012, Justin Trudeau officially launched his campaign for the leadership of the Liberal Party at a rally in Montreal, assembling a campaign team composed of longtime friends and experienced political advisors.
November 26, 2012: By-elections held amidst controversy over Trudeau's comments about Alberta
On November 26, 2012, three by-elections were held. A week before, Sun Media reported on comments Justin Trudeau had made in a 2010 interview with Télé-Québec, in which he said, "Canada isn't doing well right now because it's Albertans who control our community and socio-democratic agenda."
March 13, 2013: Garneau dropped out of leadership race
On March 13, 2013, Marc Garneau withdrew from the Liberal Party leadership race, citing polling data that indicated he could not defeat Justin Trudeau.
April 14, 2013: Declared winner of Liberal Party leadership election
On April 14, 2013, Justin Trudeau was declared the winner of the Liberal Party leadership election, receiving 80.1% of the votes. This victory marked a significant turning point in his political career, positioning him as the leader of the Liberal Party.
April 2013: Liberal leadership convention to be held
Weeks after the 2011 election, it was decided that the Liberal Party leadership convention would be held in April 2013.
June 2013: Move to Ottawa
In June 2013, two months after becoming leader of the Liberal Party, Justin Trudeau and his wife sold their Montreal home and moved to a rented home in Ottawa's Rockcliffe Park.
July 2013: Established blind trust
In July 2013, Justin Trudeau fulfilled a campaign pledge by setting up a blind trust with BMO Private Banking for his assets, excluding real estate holdings, setting an example for transparency among opposition leaders.
2013: Liberal Party Leader
In 2013, Justin Trudeau became the leader of the Liberal Party of Canada.
2013: Gave up seat at Nelson Mandela's funeral
In 2013, Justin Trudeau gave up his seat at Nelson Mandela's funeral, deferring to Irwin Cotler as the representative of the Liberal Party of Canada, in recognition of Cotler's work with Nelson Mandela in fighting apartheid.
2013: Elected Leader of Liberal Party
In 2013, Justin Trudeau was elected leader of the Liberal Party.
August 18, 2014: Home Break-in
On August 18, 2014, Sophie Grégoire and the couple's children were home when an intruder broke into their house and left a threatening note.
2014: Launched internet video outlining economic platform
In 2014, ahead of the Liberal party convention, Justin Trudeau launched an internet video titled "An economy that benefits us all", narrating his economic platform and advocating for Ottawa to "step up" due to reduced debt-to-GDP ratios.
October 19, 2015: Led Liberals to victory in federal election
Justin Trudeau led the Liberals to a decisive victory in the federal election on October 19, 2015. The Liberals won 184 of the 338 seats, with 39.5% of the popular vote, for a strong majority government; a gain of 150 seats compared to the 2011 federal election.
November 4, 2015: Swearing-In Ceremony
On November 4, 2015, Justin Trudeau and his Cabinet were officially sworn in by Governor General David Johnston.
November 5, 2015: Reinstatement of Mandatory Long-Form Census
On November 5, 2015, during the first Liberal caucus meeting since forming a majority government, the party announced the reinstatement of the mandatory long-form census, effective with the 2016 census, after it had been scrapped in 2010.
December 3, 2015: Legislative Priorities Announced
On December 3, 2015, Justin Trudeau announced that his primary legislative goal was to reduce taxes for middle-income Canadians while increasing taxes for the top 1% of earners after parliament reconvened.
2015: Moved to Rideau Cottage
After his electoral victory in 2015, Trudeau opted to live at Rideau Cottage, on the grounds of Rideau Hall.
2015: Prime Minister of Canada
In 2015, Justin Trudeau became the 23rd Prime Minister of Canada and also served as the Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs and Youth.
2015: Led Party to Majority Government
In 2015, Justin Trudeau led the Liberal Party to a majority government in the federal election, becoming Prime Minister.
2015: Postnational State Comment
In 2015, Trudeau told the New York Times Magazine that Canada could be the "first postnational state".
2015: Asylum Claims by Mexicans
In 2015, asylum claims by Mexicans were at 110.
November 2016: Criticism for Fundraising Tactics
In November 2016, Trudeau was criticized for his fundraising tactics, which were seen as "cash for access" schemes.
2016: Medically-Assisted Dying Introduced
In 2016, Canada introduced the right to medically-assisted dying.
2016: Visa Requirements Lifted for Mexican Citizens
In 2016, Trudeau lifted visa requirements for Mexican citizens, leading to a surge in asylum claims.
2016: Increased Immigration Levels Recommended
In 2016, advisors to Justin Trudeau recommended drastically increasing immigration levels to boost the economy.
2016: Country Estate Value
In 2016, the country estate land given to Justin Trudeau and his brothers was estimated to be worth $2.7 million.
January 2017: Welcome to Canada Tweet
In January 2017, Trudeau posted a tweet welcoming those fleeing persecution, terror, and war, which led to an increase in irregular border crossings.
January 2017: Ethics Investigation Launched
In January 2017, the ethics commissioner began an investigation into Trudeau for a vacation he and his family took to Aga Khan IV's private island in the Bahamas.
December 2017: Ethics Commissioner's Report Released
In December 2017, the ethics commissioner's report found that Trudeau had violated four provisions of the Conflict of Interest Act.
2017: Legislation Introduced for Transparency
In 2017, Trudeau introduced legislation to eliminate exclusive fundraising events by requiring increased transparency.
February 2018: Controversy Over Invitation to Jaspal Atwal
In February 2018, Trudeau's government was criticized for inviting Khalistani nationalist Jaspal Atwal to the Canadian High Commission's dinner party in Delhi.
December 2018: Arrest of Meng Wanzhou
In December 2018, Meng Wanzhou was arrested at the Vancouver International Airport at the behest of the United States, escalating tensions with China.
2018: Cannabis Legalization
In 2018, Canada legalized cannabis for recreational use.
2018: End of Ministerial Role
In 2018, Justin Trudeau ceased to be the Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs and Youth, a role he held since becoming Prime Minister.
2018: Questioned About Groping Incident
In 2018, Justin Trudeau was questioned about the alleged groping incident from 2000 but said he did not remember any negative incidents.
2018: Saudi Arabia Recalled Ambassador
In 2018, Saudi Arabia recalled its Canadian ambassador and froze trade with the country in response to Canada's call for the release of blogger Raif Badawi.
February 8, 2019: SNC-Lavalin Allegations Reported
On February 8, 2019, The Globe and Mail reported that the Prime Minister's Office had allegedly attempted to influence Attorney General Jody Wilson-Raybould concerning the SNC-Lavalin prosecution.
March 19, 2019: Justice Committee Investigation Shut Down
On March 19, 2019, the Liberal committee members voted as a bloc to shut down the Justice Committee's investigation into the SNC-Lavalin affair.
August 14, 2019: Ethics Commissioner's Report on SNC-Lavalin Affair
On August 14, 2019, the ethics commissioner's report concluded that "Mr. Trudeau contravened section 9 of the Act" in regards to the SNC-Lavalin affair.
September 11, 2019: Request to Dissolve Parliament
On September 11, 2019, Justin Trudeau visited Governor General Julie Payette to request the dissolution of Parliament, formally triggering an election.
September 2019: Publication of Brownface and Blackface Pictures
In September 2019, controversial pictures and video were published showing Justin Trudeau in brownface and blackface.
September 18, 2019: Time Magazine Publishes Brownface Photograph
On September 18, 2019, Time magazine published a photograph of Justin Trudeau wearing brownface makeup in 2001, prompting a public apology.
2019: Canada Doubled Weapons Sales to Saudi Arabia
In 2019, Canada doubled its weapons sales to Saudi Arabia, despite a moratorium on export permits.
2019: Allegations of Chinese Interference in Elections
In 2019, Canadian media reported that the People's Republic of China had made attempts to interfere in the Canadian federal election.
2019: Minority Government
In 2019, Justin Trudeau's Liberal Party was reduced to a minority government in the federal election.
2019: Appointment of Dominic Barton as Ambassador to China
In 2019, Trudeau appointed Dominic Barton as ambassador to China.
2019: Pledge to Ban Single Use Plastics
In 2019, Trudeau pledged to ban single-use plastics.
2019: Inquiry into Foreign Interference
In 2019, allegations arose regarding Chinese government interference in the Canadian federal elections.
2019: Comparison to 2019 Election
The results of the 2021 federal election were mostly unchanged from the 2019 federal election.
April 2020: Introduction of Economic Aid Programs
In April 2020, Justin Trudeau introduced the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy, the Canada Emergency Business Account, and the Canada Emergency Student Benefit to address the economic impact of the pandemic.
May 12, 2020: Exclusive Deal with CanSino Biologics
On May 12, 2020, the Trudeau government announced an exclusive deal with CanSino Biologics for COVID-19 vaccines, which later fell through due to deteriorating Canadian-Chinese relations.
July 3, 2020: Ethics Investigation Announced into WE Charity
On July 3, 2020, the ethics commissioner announced an investigation into Trudeau's decision to have WE Charity administer a summer, student-grant program.
July 16, 2020: Ethics Investigation Expanded to Morneau
On July 16, 2020, the ethics commissioner's investigation was expanded to include Finance Minister Bill Morneau in relation to the WE Charity scandal.
August 5, 2020: Plan to Secure Pfizer and Moderna Vaccines
On August 5, 2020, the Trudeau government established a plan to secure doses of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines.
December 2020: Implementation of Mass-Vaccination Program
Starting in December 2020, Justin Trudeau oversaw the implementation of Canada's mass-vaccination program.
2020: Canada Lost UN Security Council Bid
In 2020, Canada lost its bid to join the United Nations Security Council.
2020: Assault-Style Weapons Ban
In 2020, Justin Trudeau's government announced an "assault-style" weapons ban in response to the Nova Scotia attacks.
2020: Joint Federal/Provincial Commission into Nova Scotia attacks
In 2020, The Joint Federal/Provincial Commission into the Nova Scotia attacks occurred, in partnership with the Government of Nova Scotia
2020: COVID-19 Pandemic Impact
In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted Canada's economy, disrupting the Trudeau government's economic policy, which had previously focused on reducing the debt-to-GDP ratio.
2020: Second Wave of COVID-19
In the fall of 2020, Canada experienced a strong second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.
August 15, 2021: Dissolution of Parliament and Election Call
On August 15, 2021, Justin Trudeau advised Governor General Mary Simon to dissolve parliament, scheduling an election for September 20. The election was called on the same day as the Fall of Kabul.
September 2021: Release of Spavor, Kovrig, and Wanzhou
In September 2021, Michael Spavor, Michael Kovrig, and Meng Wanzhou were released, leading to speculation of a deal between the United States and China.
September 2021: Phase Out of Federal Aid Programs Planned
The 2021 Canadian federal budget planned to phase out federal aid programs by the end of September 2021, projecting a significant deficit.
December 2021: Expansion of Canada Worker Lockdown Benefit
During the spread of the Omicron variant in December 2021, the Canada Worker Lockdown Benefit was expanded.
2021: Allegations of Chinese Interference in Elections
In 2021, Canadian media reported that the People's Republic of China had made attempts to interfere in the Canadian federal election.
2021: National Child Care Plan Announced
In 2021, Justin Trudeau announced the creation of a national child care plan, aiming to reduce day care fees for parents to $10 a day per child within five years.
2021: Another Minority Government
In 2021, Justin Trudeau led the Liberals to another minority government in the federal election.
2021: Child Benefit Program Touted
In 2021, Justin Trudeau promoted his Child Benefit Program, asserting it had lifted 400,000 children out of poverty.
2021: Further Allegations of Foreign Interference
In 2021, allegations arose regarding Chinese government interference in the Canadian federal elections.
2021: Securing a Third Mandate
In the 2021 federal election, Justin Trudeau secured a third mandate and his second minority government after winning 160 seats.
2021: Declining Poll Numbers
Since the 2021 federal election, the Liberals have faced declining poll numbers and disappointing results in by-elections, including losses in safe seats.
January 15, 2022: Introduction of Vaccine Requirements for Truckers
On January 15, 2022, the Government of Canada introduced COVID-19 vaccine requirements for truckers re-entering the country by land, leading to the Canada convoy protest.
February 14, 2022: Invocation of the Emergencies Act
On February 14, 2022, Justin Trudeau invoked the Emergencies Act for the first time since 1988, due to the public order emergency caused by demonstrations in Ottawa.
February 23, 2022: Revocation of Emergency Declaration
On February 23, 2022, Justin Trudeau announced that the federal government would revoke the emergency declaration.
March 22, 2022: Confidence and Supply Agreement with NDP
On March 22, 2022, the Liberals and the NDP entered a confidence and supply agreement, where the NDP would support the Liberals in confidence votes, and the Liberals would back key NDP priorities.
November 22, 2022: Increased Immigration Target
In November 2022, the Trudeau government announced Canada would admit 500,000 immigrants per year by 2025.
December 2022: Ban on Producing and Importing Single Use Plastics
In December 2022, the Trudeau government announced a ban on producing and importing single-use plastics.
2022: High Immigration Numbers
In 2022, Canada reached almost 1 million newcomers, including permanent and temporary residents.
2022: Allegations of Chinese Interference in Elections
In 2022, Canadian media reported that the People's Republic of China had made attempts to interfere in the 2019 and 2021 Canadian federal elections.
2022: Emergencies Act Invoked
In 2022, Justin Trudeau invoked the Emergencies Act in response to the Freedom Convoy protests.
2022: RCMP Considered Criminal Charges
In 2022, it was reported that the Royal Canadian Mounted Police had considered bringing criminal charges against Trudeau over the Aga Khan affair.
February 17, 2023: Judicial Inquiry Conclusion
On February 17, 2023, a judicial inquiry concluded that the Trudeau government met the legal threshold required to invoke the Emergencies Act.
March 2023: Roxham Road Closed
In March 2023, Roxham Road was closed due to increased strain on services and criticism over the influx of claimants.
May 2023: Report on Election Interference
In May 2023, David Johnston delivered a report on election interference, describing China's interference as a danger to Canadian democracy.
August 2, 2023: Separation Announcement
On August 2, 2023, Justin Trudeau announced that he and Sophie Grégoire had separated.
September 2023: Allegations of Indian Government Involvement in Killing
In September 2023, Trudeau stated that the government had credible intelligence that the government of India was involved in the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Canadian citizen.
September 22, 2023: Parliamentary Recognition of Yaroslav Hunka
On September 22, 2023, Yaroslav Hunka, a Ukrainian Canadian who fought in the SS Division Galicia, was invited to the House of Commons and recognized, leading to widespread condemnation and embarrassment for Parliament and Canada.
December 2023: Ban on Selling Single Use Plastics
In December 2023, the sale of single-use plastic items was banned.
2023: Continued High Immigration
In 2023, Canada reached almost 1 million newcomers, including permanent and temporary residents, mirroring the previous year's high immigration levels.
2023: Allegations of Chinese Interference in Elections
In 2023, Canadian media reported that the People's Republic of China had made attempts to interfere in the 2019 and 2021 Canadian federal elections.
2023: Economic and Political Challenges
In 2023, Freeland's resignation, threats of tariffs from the Trump administration, opposition to Trudeau's proposed cheques, and a large deficit in the government's economic statement created significant challenges for Trudeau's leadership.
2023: Asylum Claims Grew
In 2023, asylum claims by Mexicans grew to 24,000.
May 2024: Housing Value Statement
In May 2024, Justin Trudeau asserted in an interview that "housing needs to retain its value," even while initiating measures to combat housing inflation.
May 2024: Preliminary Report on Foreign Interference
In May 2024, the inquiry issued its preliminary report, finding that China engaged in foreign interference in both elections, but the interference did not affect the ultimate result of either election.
June 2024: Planned Appeal of Emergencies Act Ruling
As of June 2024, the federal government planned to appeal the ruling that the invocation of the Emergencies Act was "not justified".
September 2024: NDP Ended Confidence and Supply Agreement
In September 2024, the NDP pulled their support and ended the confidence and supply agreement with the Liberal government.
September 19, 2024: Resignation of Pablo Rodriguez
On September 19, 2024, Minister of Transport Pablo Rodriguez resigned to run for leadership of the Quebec Liberal Party.
October 2024: Immigration Target Cuts Announced
In October 2024, facing a cost of living and housing crisis and declining approval ratings, Justin Trudeau announced cuts to immigration targets.
November 20, 2024: Resignation of Randy Boissonnault
On November 20, 2024, Alberta MP Randy Boissonnault resigned following allegations that he ran a business seeking federal contracts and falsely claimed to be Indigenous.
December 15, 2024: Announcement of Sean Fraser's Intention to Leave Cabinet
On December 15, 2024, Housing Minister Sean Fraser announced his intention to leave the federal cabinet in the next shuffle, citing family reasons.
December 2024: Freeland's Resignation
In December 2024, Chrystia Freeland's sudden resignation as deputy prime minister led to a political crisis.
December 2024: Plummeting Approval Ratings
In December 2024, Justin Trudeau's approval rating plummeted to 22%, amidst a cost of living and housing crisis.
December 16, 2024: Resignation of Chrystia Freeland
On December 16, 2024, Chrystia Freeland resigned as Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, hours before she was due to release the government's fall economic statement, citing a loss of confidence from the Prime Minister.
December 20, 2024: NDP Leader Pledged No-Confidence Motion
On December 20, 2024, NDP leader Jagmeet Singh pledged to put forward another no-confidence motion and vote out Trudeau's government.
2024: Spavor Awarded Compensation
In 2024, Michael Spavor was awarded $7 million in compensation for his arrest and detainment in China.
2024: Food Bank Usage at All-Time High
In 2024, food bank usage reached an all-time high, with more working people relying on them, amidst global food crises.
2024: Visas Reinstated for Mexican Citizens
In 2024, visas and some restrictions were reinstated for Mexican citizens due to the large growth of asylum claims.
2024: NDP Terminates Agreement
In late 2024, the NDP opted to terminate the confidence and supply agreement with Justin Trudeau's Liberal party.
January 6, 2025: Announcement of Resignation
On January 6, 2025, Justin Trudeau announced that he would resign as both the prime minister and leader of the Liberal Party.
January 15, 2025: Confirmation of No Re-election Bid
On January 15, 2025, Trudeau confirmed that he would not seek re-election in his riding of Papineau.
March 24, 2025: Parliament Prorogued
On January 6, 2025, Trudeau announced that Governor General Mary Simon would prorogue Parliament until March 24, 2025, to allow the Liberal Party to organize a leadership election. This event will occur on March 24, 2025.
2025: Immigration Target of 500,000
By 2025, the Trudeau government planned to admit 500,000 immigrants per year.
2025: Ban on Exporting Single Use Plastics
By 2025, the export of single-use plastic items will be banned.
2025: Population Growth Concerns
Reports released in early 2025 suggested that population growth would not be significantly slowed, even with the Trudeau government's proposed cuts to immigration.
2030: Greenhouse Gas Emission Reduction Target
The Trudeau government set a target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 30% before 2030.
2050: Net-Zero Emissions Target
The Trudeau government set a target to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.
