Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speaking at a Black History Month reception in Ottawa this week bragged he can be “ruthless” about doing as he pleases in his last days in office.
Trudeau on January 6 announced his “intention to resign” as prime minister. However, he refused to call an election to let Canadians decide their next leader.
Instead, he prorogued Parliament for nearly three months to give the Liberal party time to scramble to organize a leadership race. The winner of that contest, which will be held March 9, will become Canada’s de facto prime minister — even if an unelected Liberal wins, like Mark Carney.
Meanwhile, Parliament remains prorogued until March 24.
Trudeau appearing alongside Diversity Minister Kamal Khera at a reception for black Canadians said he believes “anti-black” racism is still a problem in Canada, as is cognitive bias against black people.
Canada has played a role in discrimination against its black community, and has a responsibility to “right wrongs,” said Trudeau.
“Of course, as we all know, there’s so much work that needs to be done,” he said, referring to his government’s co-sponsoring of the UN Second International Decade for People of African Descent.
The program, put forward in former Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland’s 2024 Fall Economic Statement, of which she abruptly resigned the same day and it was never voted on on Parliament, costs more than $312 million.
“I have to admit my friends, I’m a little bit emotional tonight,” Trudeau told the crowd.
“One of the things that comes with knowing you are on a countdown clock until your last day, means you get to be really ruthless about the things you want to do and don’t want to do.”
“And let me tell you, if I am here tonight with you all, it’s because man-oh-man did I want to see you guys to celebrate one last Black History Month as prime minister.”