Northern Ontario MPs react to Justin Trudeau's decision to step down as party leader and prime minister
Jonathan Migneault | CBC News | Posted: January 6, 2025 6:19 PM | Last Updated: January 6
Patty Hajdu thanks Trudeau for giving her a shot, appointing her to several cabinet positions
Sudbury's Liberal MP, Viviane Lapointe, applauded what she calls Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's 'thorough, careful consideration of the issues and his deep regard for what Canadians are calling for at this time.'
In a statement released on Monday, Lapointe said she remains "deeply committed" to her work representing the riding, following Trudeau's announcement he is stepping down as leader of the Liberal Party, and eventually, as prime minister.
"As we undertake a leadership process, I will work to ensure we select a leader who understands the challenges and the opportunities for Sudbury and northern Ontario," Lapointe said in the statement.
Lapointe called Trudeau one of Canada's most progressive prime ministers since Lester B. Pearson.
"His message is clear: country first," she said.
In a separate statement, Thunder Bay-Superior North MP Patty Hajdu, Canada's current minister of Indigenous Services, said she wishes "Justin and his family the best as they begin this next chapter."
Hajdu said in her statement that she was grateful to Trudeau for seeing her "passion for equity and putting it to good use for Canadians" and appointing her to several cabinet roles since she was first elected in 2015.
Timmins-James Bay MP Charlie Angus said Trudeau's decision to resign comes at a challenging time for Canada as U.S. President-elect Donald Trump threatens 25 per cent tariffs and the country's sovereignty.
"These are very serious issues," he said.
"We're talking about somebody threatening our national sovereignty and threatening our economy, and it seems like everybody is focused on what the Liberals are doing and who is going to be the next Liberal leader. We've got bigger things to deal with than this Liberal infighting."
Sault Ste. Marie MP Terry Sheehan told CBC News he was not surprised Trudeau announced his resignation on Monday.
"I had heard it was coming," he said.
"You know, he took the time that he needed to reflect. What he did, I thought, was very thoughtful."
Sheehan said he appreciated that Trudeau supported the workers in his riding when then U.S. President Donald Trump imposed short-lived tariffs of 25 per cent on Canadian steel products and 10 per cent on Canadian aluminum products in 2018.
"I think that's what a lot of Canadians will remember about him [Trudeau]. He always put people first," Sheehan said.
He added that he thinks a Liberal leadership contest will help revitalize the party, which has languished in the polls.
"It's going to create some excitement, it's going to create renewal," Sheehan said.
"It's going to create fresh ideas because those that are seeking the leadership are going to bring forward their ideas, but they also have to solicit ideas from Canadians."
I think he made the right decision, both for the party and, more importantly, for the country. - Marcus Powlowski
Thunder Bay-Rainy River MP Marcus Powlowski said he expects any of the potential candidates for Liberal Party leadership – which include Chrystia Freeland, Mark Carney, Dominic LeBlanc and François-Philippe Champagne – would do better than Trudeau in an election.
Powlowski said a growing number of his constituents have told him they agree with the Liberals' policies, but no longer support Trudeau.
He said he had mixed feelings about Trudeau's announcement that he is stepping down.
"I've kind of gotten to know the guy over the last five years and gotten to kind of like him," he said.
"However, I think he made the right decision, both for the party and, more importantly, for the country."
Opposition leaders react
In a statement, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre suggested that Liberal MPs turned on Trudeau out of their own self interest.
"Their only objection is that he is no longer popular enough to win an election and keep them in power. They want to protect their pensions and pay cheques by sweeping their hated leader under the rug months before an election to trick you, and then do it all over again," he wrote.
NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh said in a statement that Canadians should not support the Liberals no matter who becomes the party's next leader.
"The problem is not just Justin Trudeau. It's every minister that's been calling the shots," he said.
"It's every Liberal MP that looked down their nose at Canadians who are worried about high costs or crumbling health care. The Liberals do not deserve another chance, no matter who is the leader."