Justin Trudeau – latest: Canadian prime minister says he has ‘regrets’ as he announces resignation

When Justin Trudeau became Canada’s Prime Minister in 2015, people were still using this thing called Facebook. I well remember the bubbly posts of my friends, none of whom could contain their excitement at the election of this hot Prime Minister. Moreover, they gushed at the idea that what warmed him it still wasn’t just that he was young and handsomehe was also a wonderful liberal guy, which made him an even more super-duper guy.

(If my male friends had written about an equally attractive prime minister in such a way, they might have been fired, but let’s park that.) As far as my friends were concerned – and to be fair, Trudeau had plenty of male fanboys – here he was the perfect politician generation X, and all would surely be well in his good hands.

There are increasing signs that members Liberal Partywhich Trudeau has led since 2013, are losing confidence in the prime minister.

In mid-December, Chrystina Freeland, Deputy Prime Minister and Head of Finance, resigned unexpectedly citing disagreements over how to handle Trump’s proposed 25 percent tariffs on the country — an issue that could hurt the economy.

The press conference with outgoing Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has ended.

He was asked: “How can a Liberal government be in a position to protect Canadian businesses and Canadians from the threat of tariffs from President-elect Donald Trump when members of the government will be focused on who is going to take your business?”

“The government will continue and the government will continue to be very focused on doing the job that Canadians elected us to do in 2021, which is to fight for their interests, to advocate for their well-being and to make sure that they be good and that Canadians are protected and strong,” he said.

“There will be a leadership process and the rules will be developed in the coming weeks, but I can assure you that the tools and the need to stand up for Canadians to protect Canadians in their interests and continue to fight for the economy is something that everyone in this government will be especially focused on,” he added.

Speaking outside his Rideau Cottage residence, Trudeau said he took time over the holidays to “reflect” with his family.

“Throughout my career, every success I’ve had personally has been because of their support and their encouragement,” Trudeau said.

“Last night, during dinner, I told my children about the decision I am sharing with you today. I intend to resign as party leader as prime minister after the party has chosen its next leader through a robust, competitive nationwide process.”

Justin Trudeau commented on the departure of Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland last month.

“She’s been an incredible political partner through almost everything we’ve done as a government and as a party over the past decade,” he said on Monday. “I really hoped she would agree to stay on as my deputy prime minister and take on one of the most important files facing not only this government but this country, but she decided otherwise.”

“As for what actually happened, I’m not someone who is in the habit of sharing private conversations,” he added.

“I intend to resign as the leader of the party, as prime minister, after the party selects its next leader through a vigorous nationwide competitive process,” Trudeau said Monday.

Now the Liberal Party will decide its next leader by holding a contest to decide who will succeed Trudeau. Until they do, Trudeau will remain prime minister.

Justin Trudeau said: “As you all know, I’m a fighter and I’m not one to give up a fight, especially when the fight is as important as this one.”

“But I’ve always been driven by my love for Canada, my desire to serve Canadians and what’s in the best interests of Canadians, and Canadians deserve the right choice in the next election, and it became apparent to me from an internal battle that I couldn’t be the one to will carry the liberal standard to the next election,” the outgoing Prime Minister asserted.

Justin Trudeau announced his resignation.

“Last night, over dinner, I told my children about the decision I’m sharing with you today,” he said Monday.

“I intend to resign as party leader, as prime minister, after the party chooses its next leader through a robust, national, competitive process,” he added. “Last night I asked the president of the Liberal Party to start that process. This country deserves the right choice in the next election and it has become clear to me that if I have to fight internal battles, I cannot be the best option in that election.”

Justin Trudeau took to the podium, saying, “Every morning when I wake up as Prime Minister, I am inspired by the resilience, generosity and determination of Canadians.”

He added: “That’s the driving force every day I have the privilege of serving in this office, that’s why I’ve fought since 2015 for this country, for you, to strengthen and grow the middle class, why we’ve come together to support each other through the pandemic, to promote reconciliation, to defend free trade on this continent, to stand firmly with Ukraine and our democracy and to fight climate change and prepare our economy for the future.”

“We are at a critical moment in the world,” he argued.