On October 19, Canadian voters decided against a fourth consecutive term in office for Stephen Harper and the Tories. Rather, they shifted gears and opted to support Justin Trudeau and the Liberals. This decision will have some huge repercussions for Canadian politics.
Mr. Harper ran a respectable (if, at times, imperfect) agenda based on moderate fiscal conservatism, small government, targeted tax cuts for individuals and families, and greater personal rights and freedoms. Mr. Trudeau, much like his famous father, Pierre Elliot Trudeau, ran on a left-wing platform that called for three successive economic deficits, a soak-the-rich strategy with higher taxes and fewer personal deductions, more emphasis on state-run programs such as universal health care, and canceling tax credits on education and textbooks in favor of more government subsidies.
The most unfortunate transformation is already underway, however. Canada has given up its coveted seat at the big boys’ table in foreign policy that Mr. Harper attained and has returned to the kiddies’ table under Mr. Trudeau.
It all started pretty quickly. Three days after winning the federal election, Mr. Trudeau bluntly informed U.S. president Barack Obama that he would be immediately pulling out Canada’s six fighter jets from the fight against the Islamic State (ISIS). The CF-18s had reportedly participated in more than 180 airstrikes in Syria and Iraq against these bloodthirsty barbarians.
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It was a ridiculous decision, to say the least. The six jets that Mr. Harper sent over were obviously not the backbone of the air division. Yet, they served as an important symbol of Canada’s strong support of the war on terror, as well as the cherished principles of democracy, liberty, and freedom.
Ah, but not to worry. Mr. Trudeau will be increasing the number of troops used for training purposes. This will enable Canada to get more soldiers ready to fight on the ground . . . without having to participate in this important battle.
This is one of the few moments I had a little bit of sympathy for Mr. Obama. Even though he rarely saw eye-to-eye with Mr. Harper, he knew that Canada was firmly onside when it came to defeating ISIS. As for Mr. Trudeau, who is far more politically and economically like-minded, one word that must have surely crossed your president’s mind during that phone conversation was “pipsqueak.” (A few others were probably of the four-letter variety.)
#share#It doesn’t stop there, alas. During the G20 Conference in Turkey, most world leaders had to adjust their speeches, and focus their talking points, on the Paris attacks. When an unexpected situation arises that deals with the safety and security of a Western ally, it’s the right political strategy to employ.
Mr. Trudeau, however, took most of his cues from the playbook of Bizarro World. He inexplicably maintained his original script and talked about climate change. In his oh-so-esteemed view, “Climate change is a very real challenge, and how we prepare for the increasing pressures on our ecosystems and our resources and our climate will be something that we will be judged on in coming decades and generations.”
If the terrorists win, Mr. Trudeau, I’d argue that climate change will be the least of your worries. In fact, a recent Global News/Ipsos poll revealed that only 13 percent of Canadians selected “climate change” as one of their top three concerns — well behind health care (40 percent), unemployment (39 percent), and taxes (32 percent).
Priorities, Mr. Prime Minister. Priorities.
If the terrorists win, Mr. Trudeau, I’d argue that climate change will be the least of your worries.
Here’s another startling change. For many years, Mr. Harper strongly and justly defended Israel on a personal and principled basis. This powerful new friendship and alliance is going to be severely tested by the new Liberal government.
According to Foreign Affairs Minister Stéphane Dion, “The main difference is that we will stop making it a partisan issue.” The Liberals believe that “Israel is a friend, it is an ally, but for us to be an effective ally we need also to strengthen our relationship with the other legitimate partners in the region.”
To put it another way, Mr. Trudeau is shifting Canada back to its old, archaic position as an “honest broker.” Which, if history is any indication, will neither be honest nor a broker.
(In fairness, the Trudeau Liberals abstained or voted against six recent anti-Israel resolutions at the United Nations. While encouraging, it remains to be seen whether this will be a permanent policy shift, was done to keep in line with Mr. Harper’s positions for a spell, or simply was to lull pro-Israel activists into a false sense of security. Time will tell.)
When it comes to foreign policy, Stephen Harper’s powerful billy club has been replaced with Justin Trudeau’s tiny rattle. With apologies to the Who — the new boss ain’t the same as the old boss.