Justin Trudeau’s Career: A Rise to Fame and a Fall From Grace
Justin Trudeau, the 46th Prime Minister of Canada, was once hailed as a symbol of hope and change, a charismatic leader who was expected to revolutionize the country’s politics. Elected in 2015, Trudeau quickly gained international attention for his progressive policies, including his commitment to feminism, environmentalism, and Indigenous rights.
The son of the late Pierre Trudeau, Canada’s 15th Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau had a unique advantage in terms of his name recognition and the nostalgic appeal of his father’s legacy. “There was this nostalgia that was associated with the name that really worked for Justin,” said Darrell Bricker, a seasoned pollster and chief executive of Ipsos Public Affairs.
Trudeau’s early days in office were marked by a sense of excitement and possibility, with many seeing him as a breath of fresh air in Canadian politics. His decision to appoint a gender-balanced cabinet and his commitment to refugees fleeing war and persecution won him praise from around the world. He was dubbed “The Prince” and was celebrated for his poster-boy looks and his youthful energy.
However, Trudeau’s political fortunes began to fade in 2017, following a series of scandals, including a luxurious vacation that he failed to declare and videos from the 1990s and 2001 that showed him dressing up in blackface. The scandals led to a minority government in 2019, with Trudeau’s Liberal Party requiring the support of a small opposition party to pass legislation.
The COVID-19 pandemic also took a toll on Trudeau’s popularity, with critics accusing him of being heavy-handed in his approach to restrictions and vaccine mandates. The pandemic has led to widespread protests across Canada, including the Freedom Convoy, which has paralyzed parts of the country.
Today, Trudeau faces an increasingly hostile constituency, with his party trailing the Conservatives by 25 percentage points in the latest Ipsos poll. His deputy prime minister and finance minister, Chrystia Freeland, has resigned, citing Trudeau’s lack of preparedness to face the challenges posed by President-elect Donald Trump.
With elections required by October, Trudeau’s departure as leader is increasingly seen as a foregone conclusion. The question is what this means for his Liberal Party, which may no longer be the dominant force in Canadian politics.
“Like most families, sometimes we have fights around the holidays,” Trudeau mused at a party for Liberal staff in Ottawa on Tuesday. “But of course, like most families, we find our way through it. You know, I love this country, I deeply love this party, I love you guys.”
But it may be too late for Trudeau to turn things around. The party, like the country, may no longer love him back.