On The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, Trudeau says he understands Canadian 'frustration'

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau used his debut appearance on on Monday to make his case for another term despite facing existential challenges to his leadership and mounting «frustration» from Canadians struggling with the cost of living.

Sitting for the late night talk show interview the day before a non-confidence motion against his government, Trudeau was asked why his political opponents might be trying to get him out of office after nearly a decade in power. In response, Trudeau said he believed the cost of living is to blame.

«Well, it is a really tough time in Canada right now. People are hurting. People are having trouble paying for groceries, paying for rent, filling up the tank… We've lost a little ground over the past decades on building houses, so the housing crisis is a little sharper,» he said.

People 'sometimes looking at change'

Trudeau said he believes Canada's economic outlook is slightly more positive than the United States' «on a macro level,» but conceded Canadians «don't feel it when they're buying groceries.

»People are frustrated and the idea that maybe they want an election now is something that my opponents are trying to bank on because… People are taking a lot out on me for understandable reasons. I've been here and I've been steering us through all these things and people are sometimes looking at change," he continued.

Trudeau said he was determined to «keep fighting» for another term as prime minister.

The exchange was the most pointed during an interview with a largely sunny tone, despite the prime minister facing a far darker mood in Ottawa. Trudeau's government is expected to face a non-confidence motion Tuesday from the Conservative party, which is riding a double-digit advantage in the polls.

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