Justin Trudeau, once celebrated as the youthful and charismatic leader who revived Canada’s Liberal Party, now finds his reputation completely damaged by political controversies and a near diminished public support as he steps down from his position as the Prime Minister of Canada. As the after effects of Trudeau’s resignation ripple across Canada’s political spectrum, his long tenure also raises critical questions about his contentious leadership, his decision-making abilities, and the wayward priorities he showed as the Prime Minister of Canada.
When Trudeau became Liberal Party leader in 2013, he breathed new life into a struggling political entity, leading it to a historic victory in 2015. However, his decade-long leadership has gradually unraveled, marked by scandals, allegations of corruption, and questionable policy decisions.
A notable highlight of his early tenure was his progressive social agenda, but as time went on, Trudeau’s government became embroiled in controversies such as the SNC-Lavalin scandal, blackface photos, and ethical lapses. His repeated inability to connect with broader voter concerns and address systemic issues has led to a near compete erosion of public trust.
Internal Chaos
The resignation of Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland in December 2024 was a pivotal blow to Trudeau’s credibility. Freeland, a long-time ally, criticised Trudeau in her public resignation letter, indicating serious discord within the Liberal ranks. Her departure further exposed Trudeau’s leadership struggles, leading to increasing dissent within the party.
Since Freeland’s exit, Trudeau has largely retreated from public view, leaving critical decisions unaddressed. The Liberal Party now faces an uphill battle against a resurgent Conservative Party, with polls suggesting significant seat losses in upcoming elections.
Adding to the pressure, a recent survey by Nanos Research indicated a significant dip in the Liberal Party’s popularity. The Conservative Party has widened its lead in polls ahead of the upcoming federal election, with Trudeau’s government blamed for stagnant economic growth and accusations of mismanagement.
A letter from Kody Blois, a key Liberal leader from Canada’s eastern provinces, warned of impending economic instability, particularly in light of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump’s threats to impose a 25% tariff on Canadian exports. “The country could face severe economic repercussions if decisive leadership is not demonstrated,” Blois wrote.
Canada is going through a severe cost of living crisis, its economy has taken a huge hit. The Liberal Party’s popularity is on a steep decline with the opposition expected to sweep the upcoming elections. Trudeau once considered the future of Canada is now a complete political pariah. First abandoned by his long term ally Jagmeet Singh and now even prominent leaders from his own party have withdrawn their support from Trudeau. The second generation politician has been left with no other option but to resign, as his position had become completely untenable.
Another huge factor for Trudeau’s fall was his tense relationship with Donald Trump. The Canadian leader has been at loggerheads with the President elect who had dubbed the Canadian Prime Minister as the ‘Governor’ of Canada. The United States is the major force in the region and is Canada’s most crucial partner and ally, sharing a tumultuous relationship with the American President was never going to end up well for Justin Trudeau. He had perhaps not expected Trump to return as the President of the United States.
Since his reelection Trump has been indicating that he will be slapping huge tariffs on Canada, this has spooked the Canadian public as well as other political leaders of the country. An inimical relationship with the USA is not something that Canada can handle. Trump has already been warning that he will take strong action against the neighboring country once he is done with his inauguration formalities on 20th January. In response to the threats Liberal Party leader Freeland handed her resignation indicating that she was not willing to hold a trade war with the United States.
Foreign Policy of Trudeau
Aside from angering leaders in the United States, Justin Trudeau also had a very close relationship with China. Trudeau had publicly admitted that China tried to meddle in the past two Canadian elections but the results were not affected and it was “improbable” Beijing preferred any one party. The party preferred by the Chinese was speculated to be Trudeau’s liberal party. While his closeness to the Communist regime of China was itself shocking for the Canadian public, to further cement the ties he destroyed the Canada’s relationship with its traditional democratic partners like the United States and India
One of the most polarising episodes of Trudeau’s recent tenure was his accusation that India was involved in the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a designated Khalistani terrorist. Trudeau’s claims, made without presenting conclusive evidence, caused a diplomatic standoff and tarnished Canada-India relations.
Critics argue that Trudeau’s allegations against India were a desperate political gamble aimed at diverting attention from domestic issues, including the growing influence of China in Canadian politics. Reports of Chinese interference in Canada’s elections, the operation of secret police stations, and the Trudeau government’s delayed response to these concerns have fueled suspicions about his motives.
By focusing on India, Trudeau sought to court Khalistani voters, a key demographic for his Liberal Party, while deflecting from China’s actions and internal dissent within his caucus. This strategy, however, appears to have backfired, further eroding public confidence in his leadership.
Legacy of Failure
Trudeau’s resignation, will now trigger a leadership race within the Liberal Party, plunging Canada into political uncertainty. As the party scrambles to rebuild its image, Canada faces pressing challenges, including economic stagnation, strained international relations, and a potential 25% tariff threat from the incoming U.S. administration.
Under Trudeau’s watch, Canada’s economic growth has faltered, and his failure to address pressing issues such as housing affordability, healthcare, and infrastructure has alienated voters. His retreat during critical moments, such as Freeland’s resignation and the rise of Conservative momentum, paints a picture of a leader disconnected from national priorities.
Justin Trudeau’s fall from grace serves as a cautionary tale for leaders who prioritise image over substance. While he once embodied hope and progress, his tenure underscores the importance of transparent governance, effective policymaking, and staying attuned to the concerns of ordinary citizens. Instead of spending time on huge PR mechanisms trying to portray and create the false image of a celebrity Trudeau should have made efforts to be seen as a serious politician looking after the interests of his country.
As Justin Trudeau finally steps down, Canada now enters a phase of introspection. The Liberal Party must grapple with to remodel its identity and rebuild trust with voters, while Trudeau himself faces the legacy of a career that promised much but, in the end, delivered far too little.
