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

Political rivals, colleagues, business leaders and potential Liberal leadership candidates reacted to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s resignation announcement Monday with a mix of criticism over his record and appreciation for his years of public service.

Former governor of the Bank of Canada and the Bank of England Mark Carney — who is among those expected to throw their hat into the ring to replace Trudeau — wished the prime minister well as he moves out of politics.

“Thank you prime minister,” he said in a post on X, “for your leadership, for your many contributions to Canada and for the sacrifices you and your family have made for public service.”

Former B.C. premier Christy Clark, who may also jump into the Liberal leadership race, thanked Trudeau for his service to the country “he so clearly loves” in a social media post and wished his family well.

“As a lifelong Liberal I look forward to joining tens of thousands of Canadians to choose our next leader,” she said.

“This is the biggest opportunity in over a decade that we’ve had to grow our party and welcome new Liberals … let’s seize it,” she added.

NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh and Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre both welcomed Trudeau’s resignation. (Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press)

That sentiment of appreciation was absent in the statement from NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh. He welcomed Trudeau’s resignation and said the prime minister had disappointed the Canadians he was elected to serve.

“Justin Trudeau’s Liberals let down Canadians. They let you down on home prices. They let you down on health care. They let you down by allowing corporate greed to run wild,” he said.

“The Liberals do not deserve another chance, no matter who is the leader.”

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre said in a post on X that despite Trudeau’s resignation, “nothing has changed” and “every Liberal MP and leadership contender supported everything Trudeau did” while in office.

“Now they want to trick voters by swapping in another Liberal face to keep ripping off Canadians for another four years…. The only way to fix what Liberals broke is a carbon tax election to elect common sense Conservatives who will bring home Canada’s promise.”

Candace Laing, the CEO of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, said in a statement that Trudeau “read the room and made the right call by announcing his resignation.”

While thanking Trudeau for his service, Laing said the prime minister’s resignation “marks a turning point as Canada tackles unprecedented domestic and international challenges.”

“The time for wasteful spending and over-taxation is done — we need to aim higher and deliver the better life all Canadians deserve,” she said.

Goldy Hyder, president and CEO of the Business Council of Canada, issued a statement thanking Trudeau for “his devoted service to Canada over the last nine years,” noting that Trudeau won office in three straight elections.

Hyder said Trudeau’s legacy will be marked by his government’s efforts to renegotiate the North American Free Trade Agreement, poverty reduction and working with business leaders during the pandemic.

Criticism and thanks

Hyder said that despite those successes, Trudeau was “often at odds” with the private sector when it came to policies around fiscal responsibility and long-term economic growth

“We view this as a lost opportunity to strengthen the country for future generations,” he said. “Canada has much going for it, but we can’t take it for granted.”

Ontario Premier Doug Ford issued a statement sidestepping any mention of Trudeau’s record and instead raised the alarm that the federal government “needs to do everything humanly possible” to avoid tariffs that U.S. president-elect Donald Trump plans to impose on Canadian exports.

“Now more than ever, the interests of Canadian workers and families need to come before political or party ambitions,” Ford said.

“Canada needs to demonstrate stability and strength at this critical moment, and the federal government must urgently explain to Canadians how they will avoid tariffs that could have devastating effects on our economy.”

Jean-Yves Duclos, Trudeau’s minister of public services and procurement, thanked the prime minister for his “his service to Quebecers and Canadians” and for his “leadership, advice and friendship over the years.”

“Throughout his time in office, our government has achieved major milestones for Canadians including lifting hundreds of thousands of children out of poverty through the Canada Child Benefit and the Early Learning and Child Care program.

“These programs are not only helping children and families across the country but they are making it easier for women to join the workforce and contribute to our overall economic success,” Duclos said in a statement.

Montréal Mayor Valérie Plante said Trudeau has “been an ally of Montreal” and thanked the prime minister for his work with the municipal government on housing, poverty reduction and transit.

“When governments support cities, they can achieve great things,” she said. “The challenges before us are major and the best solutions will come from the ground, from municipalities. Their role is essential, and I personally thank Justin, who has always recognized this.”