In an emotional farewell speech at the Liberal leadership convention in Ottawa, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau reflected on his near-decade in office, warning that Canada’s democracy, freedom, and very existence “are not a given.”
His remarks come at a tense moment, as U.S. President Donald Trump threatens economic annexation and imposes tariffs on Canadian imports.
“This is a nation-defining moment,” Trudeau told the crowd. “Democracy is not a given. Freedom is not a given. Canada is not a given. None of these things happen by accident, and none will continue without effort. It takes courage, sacrifice, hope, and hard work.”
A Legacy of Leadership Through Crisis
Trudeau’s time in office was marked by major global and domestic crises, including:
The COVID-19 pandemic
Renegotiation of Canada’s free-trade deal with the U.S.
Rising geopolitical tensions, including Russia’s invasion of Ukraine
His ability to steer the country through turbulent times will be a defining part of his legacy, say colleagues and political observers.
“I think history will be kind to him,” said Innovation Minister François-Philippe Champagne, praising Trudeau for standing up for Canada in difficult moments.
Immigration Minister Marc Miller, a longtime friend, noted Trudeau’s focus on Indigenous reconciliation, saying, “He really accelerated the process like no prime minister before him.”
Still, Trudeau’s leadership faced challenges, particularly in his final years. Some backbench Liberals, like New Brunswick MP Wayne Long, publicly pushed for him to step down. Long believes Trudeau’s policies, while transformative, also contributed to political divisions.
“I believe that over years seven, eight, and nine, he surrounded himself with fewer voices and became less open to differing opinions,” Long said.
Trudeau’s departure makes way for former Bank of Canada governor Mark Carney, who was officially named the new Liberal leader at the event. One of Carney’s first moves will be to end the consumer carbon price, a key policy of the Trudeau government that became a major target for Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre.
Trudeau acknowledged the Liberals’ difficult road ahead but urged supporters not to count the party out.
“You remember where we were 15 years ago with just 35 seats in the House. You remember the ups and downs, all the times people counted us out,” he said. “Like all Canadians, it’s when you try to count us out that we show our true mettle.”
While Trudeau did not discuss his next steps, his daughter, Ella Grace Trudeau, introduced him on stage and hinted at a more private future.
“I’m looking forward to seeing more of him at home and less of him online,” she joked.
Miller suggested that while Trudeau plans to take some time to “chill”, he’s unlikely to step away from public life for good.
“We’ll see him again in a role where he’s fighting for his ideals and for Canadians,” Miller said.
With Trudeau stepping away, the Liberals now prepare for their first federal election in a decade without him at the helm.