‘It’s when you try to count us out that we Liberals show our true mettle’
Outgoing Prime Minister Justin Trudeau spoke at the Liberal leadership convention in Ottawa before the final votes were announced. Read the full text of the speech in English below:
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Hello, my friends. You know, as I look out across this room, I have just one question: How’s the Liberal Party doing tonight? Now, sit down. Now, I can imagine that you’re all expecting me to stand up and talk about all that we’ve accomplished together. And don’t get me wrong, I am damn proud of what we’ve done over these past 10 years for the middle class and people working hard to join it, but tonight, tonight is about our future as a party, as a country.
Now I know that we as Liberals, as a government, often get criticized by our friends for not taking a victory lap. After we get something big done, we do something really big, and then we move on right away to the next challenge. Because as progressives, as Liberals, we know there is always more to do. So, it is important to take the time to reflect on and share the big successes. But not tonight, not tonight, because when Liberals gather, we’re always focused on just one thing, the work that still needs to be done to build a country that stays worthy of all Canadians. And simply put, that’s the work of a lifetime for each and every one of us.
It’s very simple. Liberals are dedicated to making this country even better, not because we think it’s broken, but because we have an opportunity, and therefore a responsibility, to ensure that Canada stays the best country on earth. Now these past years — these past 10 years — have been challenging, crisis after crisis has been thrown at Canadians. But through every crisis, Canadians have shown who they are. We’ve pulled together. We’ve stood up for each other. And every single time, we’ve emerged even stronger. And now, as Canadians face — from our neighbor — an existential challenge, an economic crisis, Canadians are showing exactly what we are made of!
Canadians are showing what it is that makes us Canadians, not by defining ourselves by who we’re not, but by proudly embracing who we are. We are a country that knows that standing up for everyone’s fundamental rights is the only way to protect our freedom. We’re a country that believes no one should be left behind, and that everyone should have a real and fair shot at success. We’re a country that refuses to accept the false choice between a strong economy and a healthy environment. We’re a country that embraces reconciliation and Indigenous peoples as true partners, because it is the only path to a shared prosperous future.
We’re a country that celebrates the right of each and every person to be who they want to be, to pray as they pray and love whom they love. We’re a country that will always defend a woman’s right to choose. And we’re a country that will be diplomatic when we can, but fight when we must, elbows up. But you, you here in this room and our fellow Liberals watching across the country, you know all about fighting: with grit, with determination. When the going gets tough, you remember where we were 15 years ago with just 35 seats in the House. You remember our ups and downs and all those times that people counted us out, all the times they said our party was on its last breath, like all Canadians, it’s when you try to count us out that we Liberals show our true mettle.
Tonight I’m also thinking of two friends in particular, who’ve been there with me and for me every step of the way, close to 20 years — the extraordinary Adam Scotty and the unstoppable Katie Telford. Now as I look at all of you in this room, no speech could be enough to thank you all as much as I’d like to, as much as you should be. I can’t even offer you a well deserved break, because once again, we need you. Your country needs you, maybe more than ever, and I have no doubt that you will answer the call, because you’ve done it before. Liberals will meet this moment! And make no mistake, this is a nation-defining moment.
Democracy is not a given. Freedom is not a given. Even Canada is not a given. None of those happen by accident. None of them will continue without effort. It takes courage; it takes sacrifice; it takes hope and hard work. Sixty years ago, standing atop Parliament Hill Prime Minister Lester B. Pearson first raised our beautiful maple leaf into the Canadian sky. It was much debated at the time, but Pearson knew well what we all know now: that our flag would serve as a unifying symbol that would define the next chapters in our national story. Sixty years later, there are still so many more chapters to write, and I can tell you, the world is looking to see what Canadians will do.
So let us not dwell on all the great things we’ve achieved over the past ten years. Let us aspire instead, to achieve even more over the next ten years and the decades to come. Let us remain steadfast, defiant and united, and let us not just think about our party. Let us prove our love of country. As your leader, as your Prime Minister, I have done my level best each and every single day to help build a country that stays worthy of all Canadians. I’ve done it for Xavier, for Ella Grace and Hadrian, and I’ve done it for your kids, too. I’ve done it with you, and although you’ll always find me alongside you cheering along, their future and your future is now in your hands. Merci, mes amis, merci.
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