Canada’s opposition leader has accused Justin Trudeau’s party of clinging to power to protect their pensions after the prime minister resigned and suspended parliament.

Mr Trudeau, 53, told the country on Monday he would stand down after almost a decade in post, following a Liberal Party leadership election to replace him.

The announcement came amid a crisis at the top of his government, which culminated in the resignation of Chrystia Freeland, his finance minister, and a revolt of Liberal MPs in December.

Pierre Poilievre, the Conservative Party leader, said Mr Trudeau must call a snap election to allow Canadians to “take back control” of their lives after months of political instability.

Mr Poilievre said the election should be held immediately, accusing Liberals of holding on to power to “protect their pensions and paycheck by sweeping their hated leader under the rug”.

He called for a “carbon tax election”, effectively turning this year’s vote into a referendum on Mr Trudeau’s tax of $80 (£44.50) per ton of petroleum.

“Everything’s out of control, and now the government is out of control,” he said during his speech, at times welling up.

“This cannot go on … Canadians can take back control of their lives and their country.”