Politics

Stephen Harper to officially resign as prime minister next week

Prime Minister Stephen Harper will formally step down next week, just before Justin Trudeau's Liberal government takes office.

Outgoing PM will quit Nov. 4, just prior to the swearing-in of Trudeau's Liberals

Outgoing prime minister Stephen Harper arrives at his Langevin office in Ottawa, Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2015. Harper will formally step down next week, just before Justin Trudeau's Liberal government takes office. (Adrian Wyld/Canadian Press)

Prime Minister Stephen Harper will formally step down next week, just before Justin Trudeau's Liberal government takes office.

Rideau Hall says Harper visited Gov. Gen. David Johnston right after the election and said he would resign as prime minister in the wake of last week's Liberal majority victory in the federal election.

A spokesperson says Harper will quit Nov. 4, just prior to the swearing-in of Trudeau's Liberals, which is scheduled to take place that same day.

Harper has been prime minister since February 2006.

Moving trucks have been at the prime minister's residence at 24 Sussex Drive as the Harper family prepares to move back to Calgary.

Movers carry items from 24 Sussex, the official residence of Canada's prime minister, in Ottawa October 27, 2015. (Chris Wattie/Reuters)

Harper, meanwhile, has been making calls to defeated Conservative MPs and ministers.