Social policy will be Trudeau's legacy

Justin Trudeau has resigned after more than nine years as Canada's 23rd prime minister.

- THOMAS KLASSEN

Parliament will be prorogued and will resume sitting on March 24. Trudeau says he made his decision over the holidays after discussions with his family.

During his time in office, the federal government has been extraordinarily active on social policy. From legalizing cannabis, permitting medical aid in dying, introducing dental care, pharmacare and government-subsidized child care, Trudeau reimagined what Canadians can expect from their government.

The son of Pierre Elliott Trudeau, Canada's 15th prime minister, leaves office never having tasted electoral defeat.

He was successful in his first run for elected office as a member of Parliament in 2008, at his run for the leadership of the Liberal Party in 2013 and in his first national election when he became prime minister in 2015.

The 2015 election is one for the history books as the Liberal Party under Trudeau entered the race with just 36 seats and was widely expected to remain on the sidelines. But due in part to the "sunny ways" campaign that Trudeau ran, along with his energy and likeability, the party breezed to a massive majority with 184 seats.