Trudeau says job of prime minister ‘crazy,’ but he’s determined to continue
MONTREAL • Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said he thinks daily about quitting but vowed to stay on as head of government in an interview with Radio-canada on Friday.
Trudeau playfully told radio host Alec Castonguay during a lively portion of the program “Midi info” that his job can be tough at times.
“I think about quitting every day. It’s a crazy job I’m doing, making the personal sacrifices,” said Trudeau, who split with his wife since taking office in 2015. “Of course, it’s super tough.”
But Trudeau said significant domestic and international challenges nevertheless motivate him to remain in the post and face the next federal election scheduled for next year.
Women’s rights, LGBTQ rights and progress fighting climate change are among the issues Trudeau claimed are currently at stake in Canada, and he pointed to global attacks on democracies by what he called extreme populism.
He insisted Canadians will have to make fundamental choices in the next election about what kind of country they want to have.
He said he’s in politics to serve, not to be popular, and he’s convinced he has something to offer as prime minister.
“I couldn’t be the man that I am and abandon the fight at this moment,” Trudeau said during the French-language interview. “If I wasn’t doubting what I’m doing almost every day I wouldn’t be human.”
Cost-of-living and housing issues continue to dog the federal Liberals, and the Conservatives maintain a healthy lead in the polls.
Trudeau is under pressure from seven premiers and federal Conservatives to pause a $15 per tonne increase in the carbon tax set for April 1.
The prime minister told Radio-canada that he planned to go ahead with the hike because the increases are offset for most Canadians through the carbon rebate.
“It is very easy in politics these days to attack a tax, to attack concrete measures,” he said.
Trudeau’s minority government is being propped up by the NDP.
The next general election must be held by October 2025.