In a fierce leadership battle that dragged on for months, Mark Carney was elected the new head of Canada's Liberal Party, taking over from Justin Trudeau. Before he vacated the position, Trudeau gave an emotional valedictory address, which contained a stinging barb aimed at U.S. President Donald Trump.
At Sunday's leadership event in Ottawa, Trudeau stepped up to the podium after his daughter, Ella-Grace, asked him to address the room. With his eyes welling up with tears, he was caught wiping his eyes with a tissue.
"You know as I look out across this room I have just one question, How's the Liberal Party doing tonight?" Trudeau started, speaking to the crowd with great enthusiasm.
Then, he focused his thoughts on challenges in Canada and issued a caution that the nation is faced with an "existential challenge" posed by their neighboring country.
"For all those years. beyond 10 years, challenges, crisis one after another were cast upon Canadians," Trudeau noted. "Yet with each and every crisis, Canadians have presented who they really are."
He highlighted the strength of the country, saying, "We've come together, we've stood up for one another and every single time, we've come out even stronger."
Discussing economic tensions and Trump's inflammatory comments regarding taking over Canada, Trudeau spoke directly to party members: "And now, as Canadians are confronted, by our neighbour, with an existential threat, an economic crisis, Canadians are demonstrating exactly what we are made of… by proudly embracing who we are."
He also emphasized Canada's values, declaring, "We're a country where we have always defended a woman's right to choose, and we're a country that will be diplomatic when we can, but fight when we must elbows up."
Trudeau resigned in January after almost a decade as leader, stepping down due to falling approval ratings. His resignation set off a rapid leadership contest to replace him.
On March 7, in a tearful moment in front of journalists, Trudeau wept as he looked back on his tenure. "I've made sure that every single day in this office, I put Canadians first, that I have people's backs," he said.
"And that's the reason that I am here today to tell you all that we've got your back. Even in the very final days of this administration, we will not disappoint Canadians today and far into the future," he repeated, reasserting his loyalty to the country.
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