On the Late Show with Stephen Colbert, Trudeau says he understands Canadian “frustration”

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau used his first appearance on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert on Monday to make the case for another term in office, despite the existential challenges to his leadership and the growing “frustration” of Canadians struggling with the cost of living.

The day before a no-confidence motion against his government, Trudeau was asked on a late-night talk show why his political opponents wanted to oust him after nearly a decade in power. Trudeau replied that he believed the cost of living was to blame.

“Well, it's really tough times in Canada right now. People are suffering. They're having trouble paying for their groceries, paying their rent, putting gas in the tank… We've lost some ground on housing over the last few decades, so the housing crisis is a little more acute,” he said.

People “sometimes look at changes”

Trudeau said he believes Canada's economic outlook is slightly more positive than that of the U.S. “on a macro level,” but acknowledged that Canadians “don't feel that when they go grocery shopping.”

“People are frustrated and the idea that maybe they want an election now is something my opponents are banking on because … people take a lot out on me for understandable reasons. I've been here and I've steered us through all of these things and sometimes people hope for change,” he continued.

Trudeau said he was determined to “keep fighting” to win another term as prime minister.

The exchange was the sharpest during the interview, which was mostly light-hearted, although the prime minister faced a far more somber mood in Ottawa. Trudeau's government is expected to face a no-confidence motion on Tuesday from the Conservative Party, which has a double-digit lead in the polls.

If the motion is passed, it would be a first step towards early elections. But it is doomed to failure because the NDP and the Bloc Québécois have already declared that they will vote against it and ensure the survival of the Liberals.

Still, the political game is another test of Trudeau's leadership after a tough summer that ended with the Liberals losing their governing agreement with the NDP and two long-held seats in two by-elections.

Aside from the brief exchange about the no-confidence vote, Colbert and Trudeau spent most of Monday's interview joking about trivial questions Americans might have for Canadians – such as why Canadian change ends up in Americans' pockets, whether Canadian bacon is the same as ham and whether the nation has “burned” money with the late Queen Elizabeth's image on it after her death in 2022.

Trudeau did not take the opportunity to criticize Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre when Colbert said he had been called “Canada's Trump.” Instead, the prime minister responded with standard campaign themes about Liberal policies on climate change, dental care and $10-a-day child care.

Trudeau also sidestepped a joke about a conspiracy theory that falsely claimed Haitian immigrants were eating cats and dogs in Springfield, Ohio, a joke that former U.S. President Donald Trump repeated during a presidential debate.

“I’m going to put this behind me right now,” Trudeau said.

Colbert has not otherwise asked Trudeau to comment on the US presidential election between Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris.

WATCH | Trudeau calls on UN to tackle climate change and inflation:

Trudeau: UN members must work together to combat climate change and inflation

In an address to the United Nations General Assembly, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called on members to work together to find solutions to problems that transcend national borders – such as inequality, climate change and inflation.

The interview was filmed during Trudeau's trip to New York, where Trudeau met with heads of state and government ahead of the 78th United Nations General Assembly. The Late Show is largely tailored to an American audience but airs in Canada. Interview clips are also shared on Instagram and TikTok, where the show has nearly five million followers.

RuPaul Charles, the host of the show RuPaul's Drag Racewas also a guest on Monday but had no contact with Trudeau. The prime minister made an appearance on the Canadian version of the drag queen competition series last year.