Introduction
A component of the scientific method is testing a hypothesis. And an important hypothesis is verifying that you made the right decision. In this issue we are going to do just that. The hypothesis we will evaluate is whether or not Justin Trudeau has been a good Prime Minister.
This is not a matter like or dislike. Note how we are not invoking the word “hate” here as that word has been greatly abused the last few years. In politics especially, any person in public office needs to be held accountable for their actions. Why? Because what they say and do has a direct impact on people. Some people take such questions as “negative politics”, but it must be done, otherwise we continue to make bad decisions. This is not Trudeau Derangement Syndrome where by empirical evidence is not used or cited. This will be using direct observations from which appropriate conclusions can be drawn.
Past and Current Issues - audio file
Feature Article
Is Trudeau a Good Prime Minister?
Having now been Prime Minister for almost 8 years, it is a good time to reflect on whether Trudeau has been a good prime minister. Before I get to what I think about Trudeau, let’s first define what we mean by “good prime minister.” First off, the “Prime Minister” is the leader of the party with the most seats in Parliament. Every member of Parliament, including the Prime Minister, was elected to represent the constituents of their riding to the best of their ability. The Prime Minister has the added responsibility of providing the best government for the nation (one of Canada’s guiding mottoes is “peace, order, and good government”).
So, upon his party garnering a majority of seats in Parliament, making him Prime Minister since he was the parties duly chosen leader, the first thing he did was select from his caucus people to oversee the various cabinet positions. “Good governance” would require that these people be selected based on ability for each post. He did not do that. He instead focused on virtue signalling his desire to show “diversity” by making sure half of his cabinet were women (17 out of 35 cabinet positions from a pool of 50 women from the 177 Liberals elected) and a significant number were “visible minorities.” If you want to see the negative effects of “Equality of Outcome” as opposed to “Equality of Opportunity” all you had to do was follow the exploits of that “diverse” cabinet.
Soon after taking over as Prime Minster he publicly crossed the floor of the House of Commons and physically accosted a member of one of the opposition parties to force them to take their seat so that a vote could be taken on a Liberal bill. I do not recall ever seeing or hearing of such unparliamentary behaviour before! Parliamentary rules require that any Member of Parliament cannot call another openly a liar when the House is sitting, even if there is proof, as they are all expected to be above reproach and models of dignity. Yet his actions were not vilified by the Speaker of the House nor the Mainstream Media! This is only one of the many examples of hypocrisy I have observed over the years by our media since they were a raving mob for anything the Conservatives were accused of doing but gave this a pass.
By the way, we all know that a budget “will balance itself”? Right?
Next up was our illustrious Prime Minister being charged with multiple counts of “conflict of Interest” before the House Ethics Commissioner, and found guilty on not one, not two, not three but four of the charges! Ethics? Who needs ethics! Not Canada’s “Prime Minister”, the one who wants to set a good example for the world.
Let us not forget his famous trip to India where he went to pander to the Sikh population. But then 8% of his caucus at the time were Sikh (14 out of 177) with 4 of them named to cabinet. Pretty good representation for a group that make up 1.4% of Canada’s population. A famous kid’s entertainer for many years was Ernie Coombs, known for his show “Mr. Dress-up” and his “Tickle Trunk”. Well, Trudeau did a mighty fine impersonation. Real “statesman-like.” And did he meet with the Prime Minister of India when he was there for this “state visit?” I don’t recall, but if he did it was a minor footnote. Oh, speaking of “state visit,” how about the one to China! The place where he is known as “Little Potato.” Strange since he has publicly admired China’s “basic dictatorship”.
Mutually, Canada and the US are each other’s largest trading partners. Back in 1994, Canada, the US, and Mexico entered into the North American Free Trade Agreement. While Canada has made some gains, a few industries have been gutted as factories were closed and moved to Mexico because of their much cheaper labour costs (Palliser Furniture quickly come to mind). But a thorn in the Canadian side has been the turmoil associated with softwood lumber whereby the US forestry lobby continues to accuse us of unfair trade practices. Every time this issue has been adjudicated the ruling is always in Canada’s favour, yet duties were still imposed. Trump wanted to renegotiate NAFTA, and this would have been the perfect time to deal with this issue once and for all. Did Trudeau even bring up the subject? Nope. After the Group of 7 meeting held in Canada in 2018, this is what Trudeau had to say: “What we did this weekend was come together, roll up our sleeves and figure out consensus language that we could all agree to on a broad range of issues, whether it’s making an economy that works for everyone, ensuring the inclusion of women and girls, being bold in protecting our environment, or moving forward in a meaningful way to prepare for the jobs of the future”. No mention of softwood lumber. Instead, we have the environment and “women and girls”.
Speaking of women and girls, we have a Prime Minister who has publicly said he is a feminist, yet the evidence is anything but. We had two cabinet ministers quit cabinet because of ethical issues (again) by our Prime Minister. So, what does he do? He kicks them right out of the party! Or how about him publicly stating that all women are to be believed when they accuse someone of sexual impropriety, unless its himself, and then it is because he does not remember any “negative interactions.” Or how about mansplaining to that woman who used the word “mankind” and instead should use “peoplekind?”
He is keen to give the impression he cares about the environment. As a result, his government announced a ban on single use plastics. Right after making the announcement, he was caught red handed having pizza along with single use plastic forks! Watch the video where he explains how he and his family will no longer use water in plastic bottles and instead will replace them with paper boxes, once he got his tongue partially untied.
That was a watershed moment for Justin. It was soon after this that he, for the most part, avoided speaking off-script. Relying on his acting training to avoid exposing to the public at large that he is a shallow, vacuous person incapable of deep thought. A person without well-grounded moral and ethical principles.
Here we are in 2022, quickly approaching the 8th anniversary of his becoming our “leader” and he still has not shown any signs of “leadership,” such as his abysmal handling of the Trucker Protest that engulfed Ottawa for three weeks in February. He unjustifiably invoked The Emergencies Act which evoked ridicule from around the world. Even though it took only a week before he repealed its invocation, he continued to expose Canadians to who he really is. The rule of law no longer applies. Tyrannical rule is now in vogue with Trudeau being at the lead.
I could go on and on, but this depresses me terribly! I am 68 years old. In all my years here in Canada I cannot recall a single Prime Mister that has been so incompetent, divisive, and just simply a terrible human being. I liked his father. I have voted Liberal in the past, but not for whoever ended up being Prime Minister (remember, the only ones who can vote for a party leader are those in the riding they are running in). He is the first that I know of who has consistently done a terrible job of leading Canada and representing Canada on the world stage, yet he still is in charge! He has alienating province against province, primarily through his pandering to special interest groups and not doing what is best for Canada, and Canadians as a whole. The latest steps in this direction include the wish to reduce fertilisers in this country to meet an impossible goal, made impossible because it is based on lies. Inflation is out of control due to the spendthrift abilities of Trudeau’s government. Without question he is NOT a good Prime Minister! A pox on anyone who votes Liberal and is thus supportive of this person remaining our “leader” and showing the world that we as a country are a sick joke led by a clown. I know we are far better than that!
By: Alan Aubut