Ireland's Tánaiste Micheál Martin and former Taoiseach Leo Varadkar responded on Monday to Prime Minister of Canada Justin Trudeau's announcement that he is resigning.
"On behalf of the Government of Ireland, I wish to thank Prime Minister Justin Trudeau for his years of dedicated service to Canada," the Tánaiste said in a statement on Monday.
"Prime Minister Trudeau has made a significant contribution to the global stage, always taking a strong multilateral perspective to tackling the challenges of our time and working for a more just and sustainable world.
"Under his leadership, the relationship between Ireland and Canada has deepened. His support for the Irish-Canadian community, based on our shared values and historical and cultural bonds, has strengthened the friendship between our two countries.
"PM Trudeau’s commitment to the partnership between Ireland and Canada was clear to me during my meeting with him in Toronto in March of last year, and during his visit to Ireland in 2017.
"I extend my best wishes to Prime Minister Trudeau, a true friend of Ireland, in his future endeavours."
I wish to thank Prime Minister @JustinTrudeau for his years of dedicated service to Canada.
He has made a significant contribution to the global stage, always taking a strong multilateral perspective to tackling the challenges of our time.
My statement: https://t.co/LMpplUlzk8 pic.twitter.com/ReulEEz8En
— Micheál Martin (@MichealMartinTD) January 6, 2025
Trudeau resigns
Trudeau, who has been leader of Canada's Liberal Party since 2013 and Prime Minister of Canada since 2015, announced his resignation on Monday outside his Rideau Cottage residence in Ottawa.
"I intend to resign as party leader, as prime minister, after the party selects its next leader through a robust, nationwide, competitive process," he said. "Last night I asked the president of the Liberal Party to begin that process."
He continued: "This country deserves a real choice in the next election and it has become clear to me that if I'm having to fight internal battles, I cannot be the best option in that election."
He added that he is "excited to see the process unfold in the months ahead."
"He can be proud"
Also responding to Trudeau's resignation on Monday was Leo Varadkar, who announced his own resignation as Taoiseach of Ireland last March.
In 2017, Trudeau was the first world leader to visit Ireland after Varadkar became Taoiseach, and Canada was the first country Varadkar officially visited as Taoiseach. During his Canadian visit, Varadkar became the first foreign head of government to walk with a Canadian Prime Minister in a Canadian Pride parade.
The duo developed what has been described as a "bromance."
July 4, 2017: Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Taoiseach Leo Varadkar in Dublin. (RollingNews.ie_
"I think he will be seen as one of the great Canadian Prime Ministers," Varadkar said on RTÉ Radio on Monday evening.
After highlighting Trudeau's efforts on climate, gun control, child benefits, access to affordable childcare and healthcare, as well as his dealings with Trump, Varadkar said: "I think when you look at the broad sweep of what he's achieved over nine years, it is significant and I think he can be proud of what he has achieved.”
Ireland and Canada's relationship
Ireland's Department of Foreign Affairs says Ireland and Canada have "a deep and enduring friendship based on shared values and people-to-people connections."
In February 2019, then-Tánaiste Simon Coveney launched the Irish Government's new Strategy for the US and Canada for the period to 2025 under the Global Ireland Initiative. It aimed to see Ireland double its impact in both the US and Canada "through investment and engagement; deepening, broadening and securing these hugely important relationships at every level for the future."
There are an estimated 4.5 million Canadians who have Irish ancestry, representing almost 15% of the population. Among them is Trudeau, who learned during a 2017 visit to Ireland that he has distant Irish roots in Co Cork.
July 4, 2017: Prime Minister Justin Trudeau visits the Famine Memorial in Dublin, accompanied by Tanaiste SImon Coveney. (RollingNews.ie)
In March 2022, a motion designating March as Irish Heritage Month in Canada was passed unanimously in the Canadian Parliament.
Canada is also home to the first and only officially designated Gaeltacht area outside of Ireland. Established in 2007, Gaeltacht an Oileáin Úir (the North American Gaeltacht) is located in Tamworth, Ontario.
The business links between the two countries are also strong. There are 75 Canadian companies operating in Ireland, employing over 15,000 people, and there are over 400 Enterprise Ireland client companies doing business in Canada, employing over 6,000 people.
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