Where is Justin Trudeau in the 2025 Canada election? How Mark Carney’s rise and Trudeau’s quiet exit reshaped the race and revived Liberal hopes

When the story of Canada's 2025 election is told, one key moment will stand out: Justin Trudeau stepping aside and quietly fading from the spotlight. His departure cleared the path for Mark Carney to take over the Liberal Party and turn what looked like a sure defeat into a fighting chance.

Why did Justin Trudeau disappear during Canada’s election?

After almost ten years as prime minister, Trudeau announced in January he would step down. According to Liberal insiders, there was real fear he could lead the party to a disastrous loss. "He's all we'd be talking about," Liberal candidate Rob Oliphant said, explaining how Trudeau’s continued presence would have overshadowed the campaign.

Instead of staying on, Trudeau left quietly. He only popped up once on the campaign trail, supporting his former deputy chief of staff’s local race. In a rare PBS interview taped before he officially resigned, Trudeau said, “I’m feeling serene about everything that I got done... excited about being able to spend more time with my kids.”

After that, Trudeau posted a casual selfie at Canadian Tire shopping for home goods — and then disappeared from politics.

How did mark Carney become the new liberal leader and prime minister?

Mark Carney, a former central banker with a reputation for economic management, took over leadership on March 14. Right away, he moved fast. With signs the Liberals were regaining support, Carney called a snap election, hoping to capture the momentum.

Carney made sure to break from Trudeau’s policies. One of his first decisions was to scrap the unpopular consumer carbon price. "He knew a big part of Canada didn’t like that policy, so he withdrew it," said Jerome Lai, a suburban voter from Toronto.

This smart move helped Carney separate himself from the baggage of the previous government — and it resonated with voters.

What impact did Donald Trump’s return have on Canada’s election?

Across the border, Donald Trump’s political comeback in the U.S. rattled Canadians. His trade threats and his mocking remarks about Canada becoming the “51st state” created a wave of anxiety.

Carney seized this moment, using his experience at the Bank of Canada and the Bank of England to promise steady hands against Trump’s provocations. "We need someone who can manage Trump’s tariffs," said voter Eric Rothschild, who rejoined the Liberals after quitting during Trudeau’s final years.

In fact, at campaign rallies, many Liberals wore jerseys saying "Never 51," a nod to Canada’s determination to stay independent from Trump’s America.

Why did liberal voters come back after Trudeau left?

For nearly two years before the election, the Liberal Party had been trailing Pierre Poilievre’s Conservative Party by double digits. Frustrations over inflation, high immigration, and pandemic fatigue had badly damaged Trudeau’s standing.

But with Trudeau gone, many voters gave the party a second look.

Ljiljana Tosic, a retiree from Toronto, shared, "I didn’t really have trust in [Trudeau]. I like Carney because he has experience." Similarly, Sinead Zalitach, another Toronto voter, said, "I didn’t like how [Trudeau] talked to people like they’re idiots."

An exclusive Focaldata poll for Politico showed 46% of voters believe Carney represents "something different" from Trudeau and would vote based on Carney’s leadership, not the party’s past.

Is mark Carney’s new leadership enough to beat Pierre Poilievre?

Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre has campaigned hard, calling the Liberals’ last decade a "lost Liberal decade" and warning that Carney would be "just like Justin."

But the numbers tell a different story. Liberals have surged in battleground areas, especially in the Toronto suburbs. Many voters say they trust Carney’s economic credentials more than Poilievre’s message of change.

It’s clear that Carney’s mix of fresh leadership and Trudeau’s quiet retreat created the perfect storm to give the Liberals a real shot.

• Justin Trudeau resigned in January 2025 after almost 10 years in office.
  
  
• Mark Carney became Prime Minister and Liberal leader on March 14.
  
  
• Carney scrapped the consumer carbon price, distancing himself from Trudeau.
  
  
• Rising tensions with Donald Trump played a huge role in shaping voters' fears.
  
  
• 46% of Canadians say Carney represents a fresh start, according to Focaldata.

The 2025 election in Canada is not just about party loyalty anymore. It’s about leadership, trust, and who voters believe can protect Canada in a world full of uncertainty. And right now, for many Canadians, that leader seems to be Mark Carne

FAQs:

Q1: Why did Justin Trudeau disappear during Canada’s 2025 election?
Justin Trudeau stepped down to help the Liberal Party avoid defeat and give Mark Carney a fresh start.

Q2: How did Mark Carney revive the Liberal Party in Canada’s election?
Mark Carney scrapped unpopular policies, focused on economic credibility, and separated himself from Trudeau’s legacy.