‘Whether you loved him or hated him, his legacy includes achievements that will shape Canada for years to come.’
While the resignation announcement of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Monday came as no grand surprise, Nepean MP Chandra Arya and Ottawa Centre MP Yasir Naqvi said history will ultimately show that he left a significant legacy on the Canadian landscape during his decade in power.
Arya and Naqvi were the first to respond as Postmedia canvassed Ottawa-Gatineau area Liberal MPs for their reactions.
Arya, who first arrived on the national political scene alongside Trudeau in 2015, said he’s experiencing a “mixed bag” of feelings following Trudeau’s announcement.
“It’s not unexpected,” he said. “I want to thank Justin Trudeau for what he has done for Canada. Whether you loved him or hated him, his legacy includes achievements that will shape Canada for years to come.”
Those accomplishments, Arya said, include helping negotiate NAFTA, making significant reforms to the Canada Pension Plan and child care benefit changes that included access to $10 per day daycare.
Arya said he didn’t always agree with Trudeau, suggesting he “was too far left” on some issues.
“He and I had differences of opinion on several things,” said Arya.
The Nepean MP, however, said many Canadians don’t recognize the time commitment Trudeau put into the job.
“He’s an incredibly hard worker,” said Arya. “He reads a lot.”
Arya, who was first elected in 2015 and also won the riding in 2019 and 2021, said he “absolutely” plans to run again in the next federal election.
“It’s a moment to reflect,” he said. “Not just on Justin Trudeau, but on where Canada goes from here.”
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Naqvi, meanwhile, said he “respects” Trudeau’s decision to step down, saying he deserved the opportunity to make his own decisions on when his time was up running the country.
“I’m grateful for his relentless commitment to Canadians,” Naqvi said. “It takes a lot to step up and serve the community and the country. I respect him for his work. But it also now offers a great opportunity for us to keep building the Liberal party.”
When Naqvi looks back at Trudeau’s history running the country, three things stand out: his successful negotiations with the first presidential administration of Donald Trump, his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic and the extension of the social safety net for Canadians.
When Trump arrived, Naqvi said, it represented a “monumental shift in the relationship” with the U.S., and that Trudeau acted “in the best economic interests of Canadians.”
Naqvi also labelled Trudeau’s work during the pandemic to a “war-like effort”, providing “steady leadership to protect the lives of Canadians.”
He echoed Arya in talking about Trudeau’s commitment to national social programs, including child-care benefits and a national dental plan.
Naqvi, who was first elected in 2021, said he’s preparing to run again in the next federal election.
While Trudeau’s decision to step down creates plenty of confusion and chaos about what happens next, Naqvi said nothing should change — at least in the short term — in the government’s relationship with Ottawa.
Ottawa Mayor Mark Sutcliffe, with his “Fairness for Ottawa” campaign, has petitioned for stronger federal support for multiple projects, ranging from transportation infrastructure to housing.
“The work continues,” said Naqvi. “The Ottawa caucus is strong and that does ensure support for Ottawa. I don’t think (Trudeau’s decision) changes that in any way.”
Representatives for Orléans MP Marie-France Lalonde, Ottawa South MP David McGuinty, Ottawa-Vanier MP Mona Fortier and Kanata-Carleton MP Jenna Sudds said they were unavailable for comment. Sudds’ office did, however, confirm that she plans to run again in the next federal election.
Pontiac MP Sophie Chatel, Glengarry-Prescott-Russell MP Francis Drouin, Hull-Aylmer MP Greg Fergus, Gatineau MP Steven MacKinnon and Ottawa-West Nepean MP Anita Vandenbeld did not immediately respond to Postmedia.
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