Topics: Canada, Donald Trump, Justin Trudeau, Politics, US News, World News
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau grew emotional while revealing 'great news' to the Canadian people.
Amid ongoing tensions between the US and Canada over Donald Trump's 'catastrophic' tariffs, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has announced he will be stepping down after nine years in office.
In an emotional speech, captured by CTV News, the Prime Minister addressed the Canadian people.
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He said: "On a personal level, I've made sure that every single day in this office I put Canadians first. That I have people's backs. And that's why I'm here to tell you all: We got you.
"Even in the very last days of this government, we will not let Canadians down - today and long into the future."
Trudeau explained the government has been working with provincial and territorial partners to make sure families can rely on the system for years to come, making sure 'more Canadians' understand 'childcare is a foundational building block of what it means to be Canadian. Healthcare, social programs or cheering at a Canadian anthem'.
Trudeau revealed: "Today we have great news to share, we've reached a deal with 11 of 13 provinces and territories to extend current Early Leaning and Child Care until March 2030."
Trudeau's address comes amid growing tensions between the US and Canada over tariffs, with the prime minister slamming the tariffs as 'unjustified'.
Last month, Donald Trump signed off on an order imposing tariffs to 'hold China, Mexico and Canada accountable for their promises to halt the flood of poisonous drugs into the US' by placing additional 25 per cent tariffs on goods imported from Canada and Mexico, and 10 per cent on China.
Trump said the only 'solution' for Canada to avoid the tariff is for Canada to 'become [the US'] Cherished 51st State'. And, well, obviously not wanting to do so, Canada didn't decide to do that, the tariffs coming into effect on March 4 - '25 per cent tariffs on Canadian exports and 10 per cent tariffs on Canadian energy'.
The order claimed there's 'growing production of fentanyl in Canada, and enough fentanyl was seized at the northern border last fiscal year to kill 9.8 million Americans'. "Additionally, illegal border crossings from Canada reached historic new highs every year for the last four fiscal years,' it added.
However, Trudeau has argued 'less than one per cent of the fentanyl intercepted at the US border comes from Canada' and the country has 'worked relentlessly to address this scourge that affects Canadians and Americans alike,' implementing a $1.3 billion border plan to help stop the flow of fentanyl alongside many other measures, many of which have been 'in partnership with the US' and have led to a drop in fentanyl seizures from Canada 'of 97 per cent between December 2024 and January 2025'.
Canada responded with its own counter-tariffs, not willing to let Trump's 'unjustified decision go unanswered' alongside being in 'active and ongoing discussions with provinces and territories to pursue several non-tariff measures'.
Trudeau may now not have long left in his position, but he voiced: "While we urge the US administration to reconsider their tariffs, Canada remains firm in standing up for our economy, our jobs, our workers, and for a fair deal."
