Political rivals, colleagues and potential successors react to Trudeau’s resignation

Following Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s announcement of his resignation, a wave of reactions flooded in from various political figures, business leaders, and potential Liberal leadership candidates. The responses ranged from criticism of Trudeau’s record to appreciation for his years of public service.

Mark Carney, former governor of the Bank of Canada and the Bank of England, who is expected to enter the race to replace Trudeau, extended his well wishes to the outgoing prime minister. In a post on X, Carney thanked Trudeau for his leadership and contributions to Canada, acknowledging the sacrifices made by him and his family for public service.

Christy Clark, former premier of British Columbia and a potential contender in the Liberal leadership race, expressed gratitude towards Trudeau for his service to the country. She emphasized her excitement as a lifelong Liberal to participate in choosing the next leader, seeing it as a significant opportunity to grow the party and welcome new members.

However, NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh took a different tone, welcoming Trudeau’s resignation and criticizing his government for letting down Canadians on various issues such as home prices and health care. Singh stated that the Liberals do not deserve another chance, regardless of who becomes the new leader.

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre echoed similar sentiments, claiming that nothing would change with Trudeau’s resignation since all Liberal MPs and leadership contenders supported his actions while in office. He called for a “carbon tax election” to elect Conservatives who would rectify what he viewed as the failures of the Liberal government.

On the business front, Candace Laing, CEO of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, commended Trudeau for making the right decision to step down and emphasized the need to move away from wasteful spending and over-taxation. Goldy Hyder, president and CEO of the Business Council of Canada, thanked Trudeau for his service and highlighted his government’s achievements in trade negotiations and poverty reduction.

Despite the accolades, Hyder noted that Trudeau often clashed with the private sector on issues of fiscal responsibility and long-term economic growth, viewing it as a missed opportunity to strengthen the country for future generations. Ontario Premier Doug Ford shifted the focus to impending tariffs from the U.S., urging the federal government to prioritize the interests of Canadian workers and families.

Trudeau’s cabinet members also expressed their gratitude for his leadership. Minister Jean-Yves Duclos highlighted the government’s accomplishments in child poverty reduction and women’s workforce participation. Montreal Mayor Valérie Plante lauded Trudeau for his support on housing, poverty reduction, and transit initiatives, emphasizing the importance of collaboration between federal and municipal governments.

As Canada enters a new chapter with Trudeau’s impending departure, the political landscape is set for a shakeup as leadership contenders gear up for the upcoming race to lead the Liberal Party and the country.