Recent incidents are more serious. His "brownface" photos, taken 18 years ago when he was dressing up for a costume party, were offensive to most. He shouldn't have done that, but I won't say more at this point for risk of becoming a hypocrite myself. And the SNC-Lavalin affair was a very serious mistake, although to call the incident a "scandal" is far too extreme. ( If it is scandalous, let the RCMP investigate and bring charges: hasn't happened yet. ) The departure of high profile female cabinet ministers and a MP didn't help his cause.
He flipped on the issue of electoral reform. He infamously claimed that the 2015 election would be "the last under the First Past The Post" system. Then, he dropped electoral reform like a hot potato without much explanation. People have, quite correctly, pointed out this as a serious error in judgement. He should not have said what he said, but, when the phrase was out there, he should have at least had the pretense of investigating electoral reform instead of shelving it completely.
And his government claims to be in favour of action on climate change and the environment. Yet, his government bought the floundering Trans Mountain pipeline project, in which an existing pipeline would be doubled in capacity. Environmentalists and many First Nations howl with anger at this, claiming that he can't be serious about climate change and still own a petroleum pipeline.
All these seem to suggest that this man should not get any support in this upcoming election. We should not vote for him. We should send him packing.
I say that this is utter nonsense. He should be given one more chance. We should vote for him and his party. Why? Let me explain.
On the issue of his cringeworthiness. Yes, it's embarrassing, but so what ? Others dress up to try to curry favour with various groups at various times. Have you seen photos of the other politicians at the Calgary Stampede ? Or when they are being accorded a high honour by a First Nation ? Or attending an international conference or summit. Trudeau tends to be a bit over the top, but that's because he likes costumes. How many of you like costumes? Sure, there's a line to be drawn and he's gone over it, but that's not enough to hang him. And smiling and selfies ? Come on …. he's friendly and a "people-person" … nothing wrong with that. In fact, that's a strength.
On the issue of his "brownface" photos. They were apparently taken in 2001 … 18 years ago. He was 28 years old, not a kid to be sure, but still a young man. He probably only had a vague idea that he was going to go into politics back then, and probably didn't have a firm idea that he would eventually become Prime Minister. He was determined to win a costume party contest. He was single and posed with several nice looking young women: was he hoping to get laid? Without a doubt. Attitudes toward such costumes weren't as firm almost 20 years ago as they are now. I did it back in the 70's with the same intent as Trudeau probably had. Was he ( and I ) trying to provoke some white supremacist agenda? Hell, no. Should he ( or I ) have done it back in the day. Also, hell no. But he ( and I ) did and apologies have come out and embarrassment has been registered. Will it happen again ? Hell no, it won't. So, move on.
On the issue of the SNC-Lavalin affair, I have already written. To summarize, he did something that has been done before ( trying to get a "deferred prosecution agreement" ) for SNC in order to help that company stay in Quebec and preserve jobs. Should he have pressured his Attorney-General to assist in getting the dpa ? Well, no, although I suspect that this has happened before and will happen again. What role did Jody Wilson-Reybould play in the subsequent embarrassing situation ? A HUGE role, and I assert that she and her friend Jane Philpott and others did so with Machiavellian political motives to upset and replace Trudeau as leader. So, again, we must move on …. unless, down the road, there's an RCMP investigation. More will be written later, perhaps.
On electoral reform. This one is something he'd like to have back for sure. Any kind of electoral reform must surely have some amendment to the Constitution, and every government since Pierre Trudeau has learned NOT to open up the Constitution again, for fear of every wing-nut with a cause or issue to come forward and demand that it be included in any Constitutional consideration. As Mulroney learned, to his cost, with Meech Lake, try this at your peril. Trudeau promised too quickly and then had to backtrack, a correct move, but handled clumsily. Again, we move on.
On the issue of the pipeline, and the environment in general. The pipeline, first of all, is NOT a new pipeline. It already exists. This initiative is twinning the existing pipeline in order to double its capacity of delivering Alberta crude to tidewater for export. It makes sense, even though it is very expensive and potentially damaging to the environment should a spill take place. But Trudeau killed all new pipeline plans … also correctly. And his government has stated that, while environmental reform is necessary, it simply can't proceed as quickly as people like Elizabeth May have suggested. We need time to make the transition. Meanwhile, other pro-environmental initiatives move forward. Trudeau's Liberals have a good, not great plan, and unlike the Green plan, it will work. Will it work in time ? We all have to hope so. And, unlike Andrew Scheer and his colleagues, Trudeau has a plan. Scheer does not.
Relations with First Nations are strained. They always have been. They always will be. I say this without being cynical. First Nations are NOT one homogenous group. There are several First Nations, each with their own agendas, each with their own demands, all legitimate. And the First Nations are skilled negotiators and skilled in public relations. Progress must be made, but, like the environment, progress is painfully slow. Trudeau has acknowledged the Report on Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women and Girls … has Scheer ? No. Trudeau has pledged to continue to work on Indigenous issues. Scheer has not.
In his favour are several things: first, the economy is moving along nicely. Unemployment is down to historic lows. Real estate continues to move along nicely. The stock market is performing as "normal", whatever that means. How much credit should Trudeau take? None, actually, but no other government should either, but they all do. So, he gets to claim that the economy is doing well under his watch. Secondly, he delivered on his pledge to legalize the sale, distribution and ownership of marijuana. The roll-out in Ontario has not been smooth, but that's a provincial error, not Trudeau's. Third, he said he'd move ahead on doctor-assisted death, a sensitive issue, but one which most Canadians wanted, and he delivered. Third, he has moved to assist in the settling of refugees in Canada, a noble and justified act. Many don't like this, but that's another issue that reflects more on the critics than it does on Trudeau. Despite the critics' fears, there's been no parade of ISIS fighters down my town's Main Street, and I doubt it's happened in yours either. In other words, we HAVE NOT been "swamped" by these people. We can take them in and help them. We're a big, rich country. Fourth, he was blind-sided by the madman who occupies the White House on the issue of NAFTA. Trudeau was handed a difficult and time-consuming assignment: negotiate a new NAFTA that somehow appeases Trump, but doesn't harm Canada. His government did so, with patience and class. Great credit goes to Chrystia Freeland for this, but Trudeau was the Prime Minister, and nothing happened without his knowledge, input or permission. He did well. Finally, despite what Jody Wilson-Reybould and Jane Philpott claim, Trudeau IS a feminist, and he supports equality of the genders in government as far as he is able and espouses feminist causes internationally and domestically. He walks the walk.
Therefore, he deserves a second chance at being Prime Minister. It may be because the alternatives are not palatable or possible. That's fine. Better the devil you know. But it is also because Trudeau has, despite his many flaws, a good track record and will continue to have one.
But, because of his flaws, he now has a short shelf-life. If he wins, even a short minority, he has to govern wisely. And then, he has to leave. No third term for him. His flaws have made him less "sunny" to Canadians.
And the next Prime Minister has to be female. No if's, and's, or but's. It has to happen.
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