How Justin Trudeau can still win
Summary
As Abacus Data’s David Coletto concluded in a recent Substack post, “The public mindset has moved from one of optimism in 2018, to fear in 2020, to shortage in 2021 and to scarcity today. And I don’t believe Justin Trudeau is suited to serve that mindset.” Tuesday’s Federal Court decision on his government’s use of the Emergencies Act that found it infringed on certain charter rights won’t help there. That means more face time for effective cabinet ministers like Sean Fraser, Seamus O’Regan, Marc Miller, Anita Anand and Karina Gould. As Carney said to Pierre Poilievre during a parliamentary committee appearance in 2021, “We need more focus on solutions, Mr. Poilievre.” The Liberals also need the broader political and economic climate to turn in their favour, something that hasn’t been the case of late. Canadians may simply be too tired of this Liberal government to elect another one, and the weight of a decade in office — never mind one with a global pandemic and a Trump presidency — can drag even the best politician down.