Canadians don't vote for the Prime Minister. The Liberal party will vote for a new leader and the person takes over. Now, we will have an election sometime this year, but this does not trigger it.

This has not come out of nowhere. He's been in power for ~10 years and that's about when all leaders lose their shine. His popularity has been falling. It was either this, or an election where the Conservatives won in a landslide. Which might still happen, but pushes it off for a bit.

Basically, yes. The Cons will still probably win a majority in the next election, but the Liberals had absolutely no shot with Trudeau. This way, maybe, they can gain some support back and not lose AS many seats.

Why would the next Liberal leader do that? Trudeau stepping down likely avoids an immediate election, which the Cons would win in a landslide.

Trudeau stays PM until the Liberal choose a new leader.

I don't think you're wrong, but it's the best chance they've got to, as you say, stop the bleeding.

I am much more scared for you than I am for us. Best of luck to you!

I wouldn't call it political upheaval. He remains PM until the Liberals choose a new leader. That new person will then take over as PM until the next election.

Because he's very unpopular and pulling his party down with him. This way the Liberals have a chance to get support back.

He's incredibly unpopular and as a result Liberal support has dwindled. With him out, they have a chance to claw back some support instead of us heading into another election right away which would 100% result in a Conservative majority.

Why is that? He's incredibly unpopular and this will save us an election until a bit later. With Trudeau out, the Liberals have a bit of time to try and get support back from the Cons.

I got a rock on the button yesterday at queer curling!