Commentary
For the first time since the last days of Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau’s tenure over 40 years ago, there was widespread curiosity in Canada—until this Monday—about whether the incumbent prime minister would retire voluntarily or otherwise, or lead his party into another general election later this year.
Since the merging of the Progressive Conservatives and Reform Parties in 2004, the electoral equation has been that of an effective two-party state instead of the 1 1/2 party state that had prevailed between 1896 and 1984 and 1992 and 2004. Since 1984, the Conservatives have governed federally for 18 years and the Liberals for 23 years, and all indications are that the Conservatives will be re-elected with a solid majority in October of this year at the latest.
Up until this week, the Liberal prime minister who succeeded Campbell, Jean Chrétien, was the only elected prime minister deposed from that office by his own party, and his successor, Paul Martin, was also unable to avoid the defeat the voters had in mind for Chrétien: Stephen Harper took office at the head of a united Conservative Party. Justin Trudeau now joins Chrétien as an elected prime minister forced from office by his own party. Ms. Freeland deserves credit for not allowing Trudeau to lay all the blame for the government’s economic policy failures on her, but she should not imagine that she is now an acceptable replacement.
A stark historic contrast is Brian Mulroney, who had a solid record of achievement as prime minister, but after eight years, for various reasons, was not popular in the country, although he did not suffer the wobbling of a single caucus member, because he treated his MPs so attentively and retained their unconditional loyalty. This was in sharp distinction to Justin and Pierre Trudeau, Jean Chrétien, John Diefenbaker—and even Lester Pearson and Stephen Harper, both of whom faced some rumblings of mutiny below decks.
The legacy of his administration, as extensively documented (including by myself), primarily consists of a concerning decrease in international capital flows and Canada’s economic growth and per capita net income, a significant accumulation of debt, an excessive focus on climate change policies including detrimental effects on the oil and gas sector, a problematic handling of indigenous issues, an excessive emphasis on gender-related matters, and acceptance of a troubling assault on the English language in Quebec.
The departure of renowned Canadian figure Jordan Peterson to the United States, amidst challenges from cancel culture, serves as a poignant symbol of Canada’s recent decline.
It is evident from public opinion trends in Canada and election results globally that there is a growing weariness towards the woke, environmentally-conscious, diversity-focused agenda. The exaggerated claims about the impact of fossil fuels on the environment have led to burdensome costs for consumers, and populations in civilized nations can only endure a certain level of unwarranted self-criticism. Even the most self-aware individual has limits to how much self-blame they can handle before reasserting their sense of self-worth.
Trudeau seems to be considering former Bank of Canada and Bank of England governor Mark Carney as his successor, but Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland has complicated that plan.
By announcing his resignation, Justin Trudeau is effectively seeking refuge while there is still a place available for him. Joe Clark remains the only person in history to have defeated a Trudeau, and Canada is taking steps towards reclaiming its historical reputation as a prosperous nation.
Please note that the opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of The Epoch Times.
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