Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Monday morning he’ll step down after his Liberal party chooses its next leader in a “robust, nationwide competitive process,” telling reporters assembled at Rideau Cottage that he asked party president Sachit Mehra on Sunday to start preparing for the contest.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is stepping down as leader of the Liberal Party of Canada. In an historic announcement outside his official Rideau Cottage residence, Trudeau declared his intention to stay on as prime minister until a new leader is chosen.

Following an Atlantic Liberal caucus meeting the morning of Dec. 23, caucus chair Kody Blois wrote a letter to Trudeau calling for him to resign as party leader