A teary eyed Justin Trudeau took to the stage at the Liberal leadership convention to address the party for a final time before passing the torch, and Canadians are commending his time in office.
Prime Minister Trudeau was welcomed onto the stage by his daughter Ella-Grace Trudeau at Sunday’s convention – where Mark Carney was named new Liberal leader and soon-to-be Prime Minister of Canada.
Trudeau reflected on the past 10 years as he stood face-to-face with his party one last time, and although it was far from smooth sailing he said that “being prime minister of this country has been the honour of [his] life.”
“I am damn proud of what we’ve done over the past 10 years, for the middle class, and the people working hard to join it,” he said.
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The outgoing leader was met with several cheers and applause as he shared words of encouragement and strength for the party and Canadians, even touching on the ongoing tariff war with the United States – a fight he will no longer be able to lead.
“As Canadians face, from our neighbour, an existential challenge, an economic crisis, Canadians are showing exactly what we are made of,” he said. “Canadians are showing what it is that makes us Canadians… by proudly embracing who we are.”
“We’re a country that celebrates the right of each and every person to be who they want to be, to pray as they pray, and love whom they love,” he said.
Trudeau went on to say that he’s happy to shift his attention and focus onto his three children, and being a father, sentiments that were also shared by his daughter during her speech.
“I gotta say, I’m looking forward to seeing more of him at home and less of him online,” Ella-Grace said. “But I wouldn’t trade the last few years for anything, dad, I am so proud of you.”
Online, Canadians took the time to reflect on Trudeau’s time as prime minister following his speech.
“The past one to two months cemented a good legacy for him,” one X user wrote.
“Yes, maybe he wasn’t perfect but I felt he always had the best interest of Canada/Canadians. He got us thru some unusually tough times, was well respected in the worldwide community &conducted himself admirably,” another user wrote.
One X user said, “I believe history will not be unkind to him.”
Although Carney won the leadership race, Trudeau still remains prime minister for now, with a transition of power expected to take place in the coming days.
Trudeau ended his speech by saying he’s done his best to build a country that is worthy of all Canadians and future generations.
“And although you’ll always find me alongside you cheering along, their future and your future is now in your hands,” he said.
