In his farewell speech, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau stressed the need for unity against upcoming threats, including a trade war with the United States. He said, “The world is watching what Canadians will do.”
According to the BBC, on Sunday, Trudeau delivered what was effectively his final farewell speech as the sitting prime minister at the Liberal Party leadership election event in Ottawa.
Introduced by his daughter, Trudeau took the stage and told party members that Canada is a country that fights “with elbows up” when necessary, alluding to the trade war with the Trump administration.
The expression “elbows up” originates from Canada’s national sport, hockey, and has recently become a symbol of the growing resentment among Canadians toward the Trump administration.
He urged, “Let us remain unwavering, bold, and united—not just thinking about our party but proving our love for our country.”
Since taking office in 2015 and serving as prime minister for over nine years, Trudeau has struggled with declining approval ratings in recent years due to rising inflation, housing prices, and immigration issues.
After Trump’s inauguration, Trudeau faced a political crisis, with even his closest allies turning their backs on him. Ultimately, in January, he resigned, stating he would step down as Liberal Party leader and prime minister once a successor was chosen.
On the same day, the Liberal Party elected former Bank of Canada Governor Mark Carney, 59, as its new leader, succeeding Trudeau.
In his speech concluding his more than nine-year tenure, Trudeau emphasized that Canada was approaching “a moment that will define the nation’s identity” and called for a unified response from the Canadian people.
