N.S. Liberals commend Trudeau for announcing departure, say PM made 'right decision'

Nova Scotia Liberals are praising Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's decision not to lead the federal party into the next general election.

Trudeau announced Monday he will step down as leader of the Liberal Party of Canada and prime minister once Liberals choose a successor.

Former Liberal housing minister Sean Fraser called Monday a "big day in Canadian politics and for the Liberal Party of Canada."

"I want to express my gratitude to him [Trudeau] for the time that he served and the opportunity to work with him to better my own community," he said.

Fraser, the MP for Central Nova, resigned from his cabinet post on Dec. 16 — the same day his colleague Chrystia Freeland stepped down as finance minister and deputy prime minister.

Freeland's bombshell announcement, which came the day she was scheduled to deliver a fiscal update, re-energized the movement within caucus to force Trudeau out.

Over the holidays, the Liberal Party's Atlantic caucus sent Trudeau a letter asking him to resign.

"Our colleagues this morning expressed their deep personal affection for you, their pride in our work as a Liberal team, but also their deep concern that without a leadership change, that progress will be lost under a Pierre Poilievre [led] government," noted the message, posted on social media by New Brunswick Liberal MP Wayne Long. 

Trudeau said Monday he came to the conclusion that he "cannot be the best option" in the next federal election if he's "having to fight internal battles" within his own party.

Fraser said Trudeau "made the right decision to step away given that there are divisions within the party."

"It's time for a new chapter," said Fraser, who sidestepped whether the prime minister should have announced his departure sooner.

"There's an old adage that the best day to plant a tree is 20 years ago, and the second best day to plant a tree is today."

Political 'shelf life'

The interim leader of the Nova Scotia Liberal Party, Derek Mombourquette, agreed the time is right for Trudeau to move on.

"I think he made the right decision for himself personally, first and foremost, and I think he made the right decision for the party," said the MLA for Sydney-Membertou.

"We all have a shelf life as politicians and if you can leave making that decision on your own, I would celebrate that."

Progressive Conservative Premier Tim Houston, who has butted heads with Trudeau over the federal carbon tax, said in a statement he wishes the prime minister "nothing but the best in whatever comes next."

"I don't need to agree with someone on every issue to respect the sacrifice it takes to run for public office and serve," said Houston. 

Kody Blois, the Liberal MP for Kings-Hants, commended Trudeau for the "dignity" and "grace" he showed in announcing his decision to step aside.

Blois said he thinks it will make a difference in the next federal election.

"When I go door to door in my communities, people generally will say that they believe in the agenda and the [Liberal] policies...and the way we've governed," said Blois. "They're just tired of Mr. Trudeau and they're looking for a change."

According to Blois, choosing a new leader would give the Liberals the "best fighting chance."

Parliament has been prorogued until March 24, giving Liberals some breathing room and preventing the opposition parties from taking down the government through a non-confidence vote.

Trudeau said Monday he's already asked the Liberal Party president to begin a "robust" and "nationwide" process to find the next leader.

N.S. Liberal MP praises Trudeau for plans to step down

1 day ago

Duration 9:35

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says he'll go as soon as the party can choose a successor. Sean Fraser says he's glad Trudeau is leaving of his own volition. Watch his interview with Tom Murphy.