Justin Trudeau puts Canada on ice
Subscribe to enjoy similar stories. Both sides of the political aisle in Ottawa were relieved when Prime Minister Justin Trudeau finally resigned on Jan. 6.
But the timing and the way he did it couldn’t be worse for Canada. It’s one of many reasons why Conservative Party leader Pierre Poilievre is the heavy favorite to win the next federal election. Mr.
Trudeau’s decision to call it quits—but not to leave office immediately—puts the Canadian government under the command of a lame duck for the next few months. It’s not a good look for Canada while Donald Trump is threatening to abrogate the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement and put 25% tariffs on Canadian goods. Canadians who complain that Mr.
Trudeau’s choices are always about his own interests seem vindicated. He’s been losing altitude in polls for months. Had he asked the governor general to dissolve Parliament last year, he would have triggered the start of the federal election process and Canada probably would have a newly elected prime minister by now.
But Mr. Trudeau’s Liberal Party would almost certainly have lost. By choosing to wait and now to suspend Parliament instead, he’s bought time for the party to find a new leader.
But he’s delayed the transition to a new government that the country urgently needs. With the legislature on ice until March 24, the federal election can’t happen before May. This is bad news for Canadians who want to avoid a trade war with the U.S.
through negotiations. Mr. Trump wants Canada to spend more on its national defense and to do more to stop the flow of fentanyl and illegal migrants into the U.S.
But Parliament can’t act now, which means new spending can’t be passed. Canada is paralyzed. Looking on the bright side, Canadians are finally
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