Monday November 25, 2024 | VICTORIA, BC
Editor’s Note:
- Pre-booked family time at a one-off event was only for a few hours; Trudeau chose the Taylor Swift concert instead of being available for comment on a violent pro-Palestinian, anti-NATO protest in Montreal on Friday evening November 22.
- It seems he recognized how irreplaceable that family moment would be have been, while the racist and global defence issues won’t be solved in one night He did comment n social media on Saturday to condemn the protest, saying violent protesters should be “pursued and punished.”
- Trudeau is still pacing himself toward Election 2025 while Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre told national media that Trudeau’s Friday night choice was yet another sign that the Liberal government is on its last legs. Might he not make the same choice under similar circumstances?
- ~ Mary P Brooke, Editor, Island Social Trends
Attend a riot or a concert?
Opinion-Editorial by Janice Williams, Victoria, BC
“While Montreal was experiencing an “anti-NATO riot” that some perhaps more correctly characterized as a pro-Palestine/anti-Israel riot – the Prime Minister was at a Taylor Swift concert with his family, dancing, and exchanging friendship bracelets. Some defended the Prime Minister as being entitled to family time, others declaring that there wasn’t anything he could do anyways.
If the Prime Minister was blissfully unaware of what was going on in his riding, his behavior is defensible. After all, why begrudge children quality time with their father, even if he is the Prime Minister of Canada?
However, not being aware of such an event, would not be excusable. As Prime Minister of Canada, there is an obligation to become aware in a timely way of events of significance and to respond in timely and appropriate ways. It is not a job where the person who holds it can simply “clock out” whenever they feel like it. This may mean that being Prime Minister of Canada might be incompatible with other demands, in which case the proper thing to do would be to resign as Canada deserves a Prime Minister who is able to prioritize the country over their own needs.
Furthermore if Mr. Trudeau was aware, his behavior is inexcusable. Leaders are expected to be available when their community needs them – they are expected to be “at work” when these kinds of events happen. They are expected to be getting advice on what to do, and to be responding in appropriate ways. They are expected, at a minimum, to “appear to care”, and ideally they should actually care. By not missing the Taylor Swift concert – Mr. Trudeau was clearly not at work when expected to be at work, but worse yet, failed to even “appear to care” about those he represents.
If Mr. Trudeau was aware, and danced and sang the night away anyways his behavior shows a callous indifference to what was happening. An indifference unbecoming of being the Prime Minister of Canada, or even the Member of Parliament for Papineau.
The conclusion many will draw, is that while many, even those in his own party, no longer care for him and his brand of politics that Mr. Trudeau also no longer cares and that the feeling is mutual. It is apparent to many that Mr. Trudeau is quiet quitting as he is doing the minimum requirements of his job and not putting in any more time, effort, or enthusiasm than necessary but doesn’t intend to leave his position and fully intends to continue to collect the benefits of his position.”
===== RELATED:
NEWS SECTIONS: POLITICS | CANADIAN FEDERAL ELECTION 2025