Canadian PM likely to resign as party leader: report

OTTAWA -- Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is expected to announce as early as Monday his resignation as leader of the Liberal Party, The Globe and Mail reported Sunday.

The prime minister is facing a revolt within his caucus and dismal public opinion polls, which indicate that his party is likely to be swept from power in a landslide victory by Pierre Poilievre's Conservatives, said the report.

Sources told the Canadian daily that it remains unclear whether Trudeau will resign immediately or stay on as Prime Minister until a new leader is selected.

Trudeau may remain as Prime Minister until a leader is chosen so he can deal with the incoming administration of Donald Trump and his threat of 25 percent tariffs, the report said.

Canadian Finance Minister Dominic LeBlanc and Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly were sent to the United States on Dec. 27 to meet with Trump's team and assess whether Trump is satisfied with Canada's recent announcement of new border investments.

While the ministers did not obtain a commitment to hold off on the tariffs, a spokesperson for LeBlanc said the meeting was "productive" and positive, and that discussions would continue in the coming weeks, according to local media.