Kamala Harris’s Election Defeat Marks Major Setback for Women’s Progress, Says PM Trudeau

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has called Vice President Kamala Harris’s recent election loss a symbolic blow to women’s progress, warning that it reflects a growing global backlash against women’s rights. Speaking at the Equal Voice Foundation Gala in Ottawa, Trudeau urged Canadians to stay vigilant as “regressive” and “reactionary” forces threaten hard-won advances in gender equality.

“We were supposed to be on a steady, if difficult, march towards progress. And yet, just a few weeks ago, the United States voted for a second time to not elect its first woman president,” Trudeau said, alluding to Vice President Kamala Harris’s defeat in the recent U.S. presidential election. “Women’s rights and women’s progress are under attack, overtly and subtly. I want you to know that I am, and always will be, a proud feminist. You will always have an ally in me and my government.”

Trudeau’s remarks came with pointed references to the overturning of abortion rights in the United States, particularly the landmark *Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization* decision, which eliminated constitutional protections for abortion. “Politicians hostile to a woman’s right to choose are winning too often, unfortunately,” he warned. “We must remain vigilant and lucid about the challenges ahead.”

His comments also appeared to take aim at Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, who was notably absent from the event. Trudeau lauded other federal leaders, including NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh and Green Party Leader Elizabeth May, for their consistent support for women. “Showing up matters,” he said, emphasizing his government’s achievements, such as a gender-balanced cabinet, subsidized childcare, and a national strategy to combat gender-based violence.

The backdrop of strained Canada-U.S. relations amplified Trudeau’s comments. Former U.S. President Donald Trump, a central figure in Harris’s electoral defeat, has reignited tensions with provocative remarks about Canada. Trump recently referred to Trudeau as the “governor” of Canada and joked about the country becoming the 51st U.S. state. Additionally, the potential imposition of a 25% tariff on Canadian goods looms large, threatening economic stability.

Trudeau has promised a robust response if these tariffs are enacted, recalling Canada’s retaliatory measures during Trump’s presidency. “We’ve proven before that Canada will not stand down when faced with unjust trade policies,” he asserted.

The gala also featured remarks from Melissa Lantsman, Deputy Leader of the Conservative Party, who critiqued Trudeau’s approach without naming him directly. “Some leaders rely on lofty platitudes and token policies, which pander and demean,” Lantsman said. She argued that merit, not quotas, should drive women’s advancement in politics. “It has to be about more than symbols. It has to be about actual substance—real results for real people.”

Lantsman highlighted the rising rates of sexual assault and human trafficking in Canada as urgent issues that demand substantive solutions. Her remarks echoed growing calls for action-oriented policies over symbolic gestures.

Trudeau concluded his speech with a call to action for Canadians to resist complacency in the face of mounting challenges to women’s rights. He noted that 56% of judicial appointments under his government have been women, a marked increase from the 32% under the previous Conservative administration. “We don’t just believe in a woman’s right to choose—we act on it,” he said.

As debates over gender equity and women’s rights continue to take center stage, Trudeau’s speech at the Equal Voice Gala reinforced his administration’s commitment to fostering inclusive leadership and tackling systemic inequalities.