All eyes were on Ottawa on Monday as Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced he would resign following a Liberal party leadership race and that parliament would be prorogued until March 24.
Following the announcement, CambridgeToday reached out to Cambridge MP Bryan May for comment and insight into what the decision could mean on a local level, only to be directed to a statement on his social media channels.
In the statement, May thanked the Prime Minister for his service.
"Over my past nine years of service, I have deeply valued and relied on his leadership, guidance and friendship," it read.
The impacts of Trudeau's decision are both immediate and far reaching.
When government is prorogued, any bill passing through the House of Commons that hasn't yet received royal assent dies and must be reintroduced as new.
One such bill is C-322, an act to develop a framework for a national school food program. The bill was in its third reading in the House of Commons.
Nutrition for Learning, an organization that provides food programs to schools in Waterloo region, has been vocal about the increasing demand on its services and need for funding in recent years.
Despite the uncertainty around what's to come, May took time to point out several achievements the government has accomplished under Trudeau, including the Child Care Benefit, $10-a-day child care, pharmacare and the Canadian Dental Care Plan.
"Since 2015, the Prime Minister has delivered progress and real change for Canadians - fighting climate change, building affordable housing, advancing reconciliation, and creating a better and more inclusive Canada for all who call this country home," May's statement read.
"These accomplishments reflect our shared visions for a more equitable and prosperous Canada. I am proud of the work we have achieved, together."
Trudeau has been no stranger to Cambridge, having made various stops in the city throughout his tenure. He was at a local sheet metal business in 2021, the Cambridge Islamic Centre in 2022 and the Desi Food Mart on Hespeler Road in 2023.
Attempts to reach Kitchener South-Hespeler MP Valerie Bradford for comment were unsuccessful.
