Ousting of U.K. PM Boris Johnson won’t affect ties with Canada, trade talks

OTTAWA — The Canadian government says the ousting of U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson by his party will not affect Canada’s negotiations on a free-trade agreement.

A spokeswoman for International Trade Minister Mary Ng says negotiations for the new deal will continue smoothly as Canada and the U.K. share a long history and close ties.

In a statement outside Downing Street today Johnson said he will be stepping down as prime minister after demands he go from Conservative MPs and the resignation of a string of his ministers.

He intends to stay on until a new leader is chosen but he is facing calls to leave office immediately, including from former Conservative Prime Minister John Major.