Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has confirmed that he intends to remain prime minister despite changes in his cabinet. He made the announcement on Monday while speaking to members of the ruling Liberal Party of Canada and its supporters in Gatineau, Quebec. His speech was broadcast on national television.
“I wouldn’t want to be prime minister of any other [country]. It’s the greatest privilege to be prime minister [of Canada],” Trudeau said to cheers from the crowd. He also called on his party colleagues to “recharge” over the upcoming Christmas break, spending time with their loved ones, and then get back to work and “making life better for Canadians.”
Earlier on Monday, CTV reported that the prime minister was considering resigning in the wake of Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland’s decision to leave the government, as Trudeau stripped her of her finance portfolio and transferred her to another job in the government. Later that day, Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc took up the vacant post while retaining his portfolio.
Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Minister Sean Fraser also announced his resignation from the cabinet.