# How's Trudeau doing, Canada? **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [February 13, 2016, 1:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hows-trudeau-doing-canada/746019 "2016-02-13T13:56:38Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 24
**Author:** ![Sam\_Stone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Sam\_Stone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sam_Stone)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2020, 2:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hows-trudeau-doing-canada/746019/463 "2020-05-05T14:42:19Z")
Yeah, that Trump is terrible. In fact, he’s so terrible that he has even messed ip Canadian gun control. Or at least threads about Canadian gun control… ---
**Author:** ![Grey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b782af/32.png) [@Grey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grey)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2020, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hows-trudeau-doing-canada/746019/464 "2020-05-05T17:40:59Z")
Which, to be fair, this isn’t. ---
**Author:** ![Grey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b782af/32.png) [@Grey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grey)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2020, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hows-trudeau-doing-canada/746019/465 "2020-05-05T17:44:52Z")
Anyway, I’m loving the data put out by BC Centre for Disease Control - [https://news.gov.bc.ca/files/Covid-19\_May4\_PPP.pdf](https://news.gov.bc.ca/files/Covid-19_May4_PPP.pdf) I’d love to see a federal view for this. It’s interesting to see how the model’s react to the physical distancing. I’m curious how the difference between LTC and general population acting as the “spark” for the different provinces drives how well initial responses work. ---
**Author:** ![Grey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b782af/32.png) [@Grey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grey)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2020, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hows-trudeau-doing-canada/746019/466 "2020-05-05T17:46:07Z")
Removed double post ---
**Author:** ![MrsTime](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d26b3c/32.png) [@MrsTime](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrsTime)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2020, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hows-trudeau-doing-canada/746019/467 "2020-05-05T18:47:09Z")
> [@adaher](#): > > Of course liberals don’t care. Their outrage over Castro was similarly lackadaisical. Did you know that during Fidel’s reign (I hear the screams of outrage already) he eliminated the death penalty, school through a doctorate was free, as was medical care with house calls even. During hurricanes the government would move all furniture AND all animals including cattle . Yes I am aware that was not always the case, however he did make life easier for people, while the US made it harder and harder for Cubans. ---
**Author:** ![Dr\_Paprika](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr_paprika/32/3042_2.png) [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2020, 12:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hows-trudeau-doing-canada/746019/468 "2020-06-01T00:46:10Z")
I like Trudeau and think he has done many of the right things with Covid. I can accept his gun control measures. I think he has done well with handling Trump. But some of his other foreign policies seem ambivalent, even anemic, even though I agree with trying diplomacy first. I really think Parliament should have a proper, in-person discussion about many new billions in spending, even if it is sensible. And since nursing homes are not his jurisdiction, I don’t know what role he can realistically play. Overall, I’d give him a B. I don’t yet see a strong challenge if an election is coming soon. ---
**Author:** ![Horatius](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/horatius/32/3572_2.png) [@Horatius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Horatius)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2020, 1:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hows-trudeau-doing-canada/746019/469 "2020-06-01T01:01:52Z")
> [@Dr\_Paprika](#): > > Overall, I’d give him a B. I don’t yet see a strong challenge if an election is coming soon. There’s not going to be an election any time soon. We just had one last year, and no one else is going to want to become PM while all this pandemic business is still going on. Taking the reins in the middle of the biggest crisis in our lifetimes is a losing proposition, for everyone. This will be the most stable minority government Canada has ever seen. The opposition parties might criticize and complain, but when it comes to voting in the House, they’ll make sure the Liberals squeeze by, guaranteed. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2020, 1:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hows-trudeau-doing-canada/746019/470 "2020-06-01T01:09:23Z")
I suspect you’re right. But the crisis might have to recede only a little bit, and Trudeau to do something stupid, before the opposition will start to think they might have a shot… and decide to take it. ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2020, 12:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hows-trudeau-doing-canada/746019/471 "2020-06-01T12:39:02Z")
Nm ---
**Author:** ![Grey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b782af/32.png) [@Grey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grey)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2020, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hows-trudeau-doing-canada/746019/472 "2020-06-01T15:42:21Z")
It’s possible. The opposition parties so far have been awful though. The NDP basically doesn’t even register, the Bloc is wonderfully quiet and the Conservatives have a lame duck leader and a leadership contest that looks like it might swing based on social conservatives again. ---
**Author:** ![Dr\_Paprika](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr_paprika/32/3042_2.png) [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2020, 10:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hows-trudeau-doing-canada/746019/473 "2020-06-26T22:57:29Z")
In the news again for being placed in a tough position by China. Two Michaels are being jailed and it is obviously due to Canada’s role in Meng’s extradition. Some prominent Canadians think release will be more likely if the case is dropped. I think Trudeau is right to emphasize judicial and political independence due to longer term considerations. I’m not saying Canada’s parliament is useful or functional. But I would like to see them meeting in person soon. For old times sake. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2020, 5:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hows-trudeau-doing-canada/746019/474 "2020-06-27T05:23:20Z")
Has no one mentioned Trudeau’s odd campaign to get a seat on the UN Security Council failed epically? It was so weird. Canada has basically withdrawn from supporting UN peacekeeping and doesn’t really do much else on the international front. Why would anyone want us on the UNSC? ---
**Author:** ![elbows](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b3f665/32.png) [@elbows](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elbows)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2020, 1:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hows-trudeau-doing-canada/746019/475 "2020-06-27T13:00:34Z")
I think the question is why wouldn’t they? Canada has successfully managed a diverse and large country through the many perils of Capitalism and these war mongering times, to find security and prosperity. While enjoying freedom, rule of law, a culture of widening tolerance and much respect on the world stage. There’s much to recommend Canada to such a position in my mind. ---
**Author:** ![Dr\_Paprika](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr_paprika/32/3042_2.png) [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2020, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hows-trudeau-doing-canada/746019/476 "2020-06-27T20:02:16Z")
Canada was running for a Security Council Seat against Ireland and Norway. Canada has played an important role in peacekeeping, negotiation and foreign aid at various points in the past. But Norway and Ireland made a decision and started the arduous groundwork of getting votes years before Canada started. Norway gives much more foreign aid. Canadian values are good, but can come across as preachy or smug to countries which place less emphasis on women and human rights. It’s environmental record is patchy. It can be accused of hypocrisy by influential countries like China or Saudi Arabia which can use Canada as a proxy if they dislike American policy. And Canada has not significantly emphasized Africa, Asia or Latin America. Trudeau apparently annoyed the Australian leader at the Asian free trade deal after not wanting to offend Trump. Canada generally still elicits goodwill in many places. But for the sort of horse trading political deals require, they started too late (some votes were done deals) and offered too little. They won 110 votes to the 130 or so for both other countries. Not an enormous loss. ---
**Author:** ![Dr\_Paprika](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr_paprika/32/3042_2.png) [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2020, 12:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hows-trudeau-doing-canada/746019/477 "2020-06-28T00:04:27Z")
> **[Why Canada failed to win a seat on the Security Council](https://www.economist.com/the-americas/2020/06/25/why-canada-failed-to-win-a-seat-on-the-security-council)** > > The country is less popular than it thinks it is ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2020, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hows-trudeau-doing-canada/746019/478 "2020-06-28T18:03:25Z")
> [@elbows](#): > > I think the question is why wouldn’t they? Canada has successfully managed a diverse and large country through the many perils of Capitalism and these war mongering times, to find security and prosperity. While enjoying freedom, rule of law, a culture of widening tolerance and much respect on the world stage. “Perils of Capitalism?” Canada is a capitalist country. “Canada is a nice place to live” doesn’t really mean anything to being on the UNSC. Lots of places are nice places to live. And we aren’t as respected on the world stage as we like to pretend we are; for the most part Canada isn’t of much consequence. ---
**Author:** ![Dr\_Paprika](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr_paprika/32/3042_2.png) [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2020, 10:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hows-trudeau-doing-canada/746019/479 "2020-07-05T22:59:06Z")
The charity issue is in the papers. I’m not sure about the wisdom of funnelling money to volunteers, camps and teachers. I think volunteerism is important. But it is surely time to think about large deficits and bigger priorities. I really think regular parliamentary meetings, though fairly useless, might offer a little more sense and return to normality. I am almost prepared to believe Trudeau was incautious and his heart was in the right place. But then why hide the details? ---
**Author:** ![RealityCheck71](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitycheck71/32/3493_2.png) [@RealityCheck71](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityCheck71)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2020, 12:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hows-trudeau-doing-canada/746019/480 "2020-07-06T00:06:32Z")
> [@RickJay](#): > > "Perils of Capitalism?” Canada is a capitalist country Well, yeah. A communist country doesn’t have to avoid the perils of capitalism. You don’t think the housing collapse was a manifestation of the perils of capitalism? ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2020, 12:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hows-trudeau-doing-canada/746019/481 "2020-07-06T00:32:34Z")
> [@Dr\_Paprika](#): > > The charity issue is in the papers. I’m not sure about the wisdom of funnelling money to volunteers, camps and teachers. I think volunteerism is important. But it is surely time to think about large deficits and bigger priorities. I really think regular parliamentary meetings, though fairly useless, might offer a little more sense and return to normality. I am almost prepared to believe Trudeau was incautious and his heart was in the right place. But then why hide the details? It’s one of the more stunning own goals in recent Canadian political history. I went onto WE Charity’s website and in ten minutes of research could not figure out what its purpose is. It seems to be a charity that claims to do everything, but it can be hard to fight through the buzzwords. There is no hint of corruption around it… … but what I don’t really understand is why the eds would use WE Charity for spending almost a billion dollars IN CANADA. For one thing, WE Charity’s work has largely been overseas. For another, the claim that WE Charity was the only organization that could pull this off in Canada is very odd. WE Charity has never in its entire history been given $900 million; that is approximately twenty times more than it typically receives or spends in a year. WE is a fairly large charity but even in Canada is not unusually huge or even among the largest ones. Even if the plan was for the money to just flow through WE to the hordes of students it planned to recruit for whatever it was they were supposed to do, that is a truly astounding administrative task, equivalent to the recruitment load of WalMart Canada for several years. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2020, 2:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hows-trudeau-doing-canada/746019/482 "2020-07-08T14:30:57Z")
Here’s CNN Politics on how Trump and Trudeau’s leadership pulled their countries in very different directions during the COVID-19 pandemic - much to Canada’s advantage: [Trudeau and Trump: How Canada was led out of a pandemic while the US' lack of leadership leaves it in deep crisis | CNN Politics](https://www.cnn.com/2020/07/08/politics/trump-justin-trudeau-coronavirus-north-american-trade-agreement/index.html) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hows-trudeau-doing-canada/746019.md?page=23) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hows-trudeau-doing-canada/746019.md?page=25)