'Worst PM in 55 years': Why Canada has fallen out of love with Justin Trudeau

In 2015, Justin Trudeau, the leader of the Liberal Party, won Canada’s general elections and became the first new leader of the country in nearly a decade. Pages and pages in newspapers, and hours of air time were dedicated to the young, sprightly leader for defeating incumbent Stephen Harper. The then 43-year-old leader wooed the voters with his positivity, his charisma, and who can forget his ‘soxappeal’ – he became an internet phenomenon for his sock fashion. However, in the years to come, things have changed drastically for him. Today, he’s not only being questioned by his people and party members for his standoff against India on the allegations that ‘agents of India’ were responsible for the killing of a Canadian citizen, pro-Khalistani Hardeep Singh Nijjar – in June, but also for his many domestic follies. As the India-Canada spat worsens, we take a look at how Trudeau is facing a barrage of criticism for his misgovernance; he’s in fact, been chosen as the nation’s worst prime minister in the past 55 years, according to a poll carried out in July. A love affair with Trudeau ends It is said that most often love affairs end – often badly. At least in politics. And that’s what has happened to Justin Trudeau. When he came to power in 2015, he was feted as the reincarnation of former United States president John F Kennedy – young, vibrant and charismatic. He was called by many as “emerging as a moral leader of the free world”. But that has changed, and how. The enthusiasm for him has waned; he has seen many a scandal in his reign, and even received some bruises on the personal front – his wife, Sophie Gregoire , announced a separation earlier in August. [caption id=“attachment_13157222” align=“alignnone” width=“640”] In 2015, when he was first elected prime minister of Canada, Justin Trudeau was hailed and loved. Today, the scene is very different. His approval ratings have dipped owing to his many follies at home. File image/AP[/caption] Some recent surveys have even called it a cruel summer for the Canadian prime minister. A new Ipsos poll done exclusively for Global News has revealed that 40 per cent of Canadians believe that Trudeau’s rival, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, is the best choice to be prime minister. In comparison, only 31 per cent believe Trudeau is the best choice to run the country. This is a drastic drop from numbers last September. And this isn’t the only survey that shows that Canada has fallen out of love with Trudeau. An August study by non-profit Angus Reid Institute found that 38 per cent Canadians would support the Conservative Party of Canada led by Pierre Poilievre. Research Co’s July public opinion survey revealed that 30 per cent of the respondents tagged him as the worst prime minister in the past 55 years. He was followed by his predecessor, Stephen Harper (18 per cent) and Kim Campbell (7 per cent).

Catch up on our India-Canada row coverage _Backing Khalistani terrorists, farmers’ stir and more: Justin Trudeau’s anti-India politics_ _Why Justin Trudeau has been 'soft' on Khalistani extremists in Canada_ _Meet Jagmeet Singh, Canadian MP influencing Trudeau’s pro-Khalistan politics_ _Diplomats expelled, trade talks on hold: How India-Canada ties have plunged to new lows_ _Hardeep Singh Nijjar killing: Does spat with Canada threaten India-US bonhomie?_ _India-Canada row: Is Pakistan’s ISI funding Khalistani groups?_ _Should Indian students, diaspora worry amid souring Indo-Canada relations?_ _India suspends visas for all Canadians: Who’s affected, who’s not?_

A poor economy His performance with the public has waned significantly owing to the condition of Canada’s economy. Many Canadians are infuriated with him over the issues of unaffordable housing and the rising cost of living. The mind-boggling home prices and dearth of quality rental options have come to characterise the country’s real estate. Recent findings from the Canadian Real Estate Association reveal that the average monthly rent in Canada has soared to an unprecedented $2,000. This represents a staggering 20 per cent increase from the previous year, imposing considerable strain on the budgets of countless households. [caption id=“attachment_13157202” align=“alignnone” width=“640”] Justin Trudeau’s handling of the Canadian economy has also come under fire. Many are complaining of Canada’s unaffordable housing and the rising cost of living. File image/Reuters[/caption] Moreover, a separate report from an apartment search website highlights Vancouver and Toronto as the most expensive cities for rentals in Canada. As of April 2023, the average asking price for a one-bedroom apartment in Vancouver reached $2,787, marking a sharp 47 per cent surge from the pandemic lows experienced in April 2021. Similarly, in Toronto, the average asking price for a one-bedroom apartment stood at $2,526, reflecting a significant 41 per cent increase from the pandemic lows. The situation became so perilous that in January, Trudeau’s government passed a law, banning foreigners from buying houses in Canada for two years. As recently as few days back, the finance minister in Trudeau’s Cabinet, Chrystia Freeland, said that the housing crisis will take years to resolve, even if construction hits an 80-year high. “It will take all of us – the federal government and the provinces, cities and towns, the private sector and non-profits … working together in common cause, not for weeks or months, but for years,” Freeland said. “Building the homes a growing Canada needs will require another great national effort,” she said, adding the country would have to build homes at a speed and scale not seen since the 1940s and 1950s. [caption id=“attachment_13157212” align=“alignnone” width=“640”] Canada is also seeing high inflation numbers and rising cost of living. Many Canadians have taken to social media to air their difficulty in making ends meet. File image/Reuters[/caption] Canada is also seeing high inflation numbers and rising cost of living. Many Canadians have taken to social media to air their difficulty in making ends meet. In mid-August Meelayna Moran, hailing from Calgary, candidly aired her frustrations regarding the distressing reality that half of her earnings are swallowed by grocery expenses.

Young woman working three jobs explains brutal financial realities of life under Trudeau:

"I'm not saving anything. The cost of living in Canada is outrageous." pic.twitter.com/fzUHTPJAHO

— Citizen Free Press (@CitizenFreePres) August 14, 2023

Others have also chimed in.

Cost of living crisis is pushing people to the edge.

People feel trapped, and hopeless, not knowing what to do to get out of this situation.

Canada is broken 🚨🚨🚨

🔊 pic.twitter.com/7e9SNlo20B

— Wall Street Mav (@WallStreetMav) August 15, 2023

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Statistics Canada’s former chief analyst has also written that the Trudeau government is stifling Canada’s economic growth, leading to irreparable societal divisions unless the trend is reversed. [caption id=“attachment_13157072” align=“alignnone” width=“640”] Protesters opposed to gender diversity in schools hold placards during a rally in Toronto. The protest was one of many across Canada, organised by “1MillionMarch4Children” as they protest against so-called “gender ideology” being taught in schools. AP[/caption] Much too ‘woke’ A significant number of people have also criticised Justin Trudeau for being ‘too woke’. At a time when he’s facing flak for the diplomatic row that he’s created with India, thousands of parents and other protesters, under the banner of ‘1MillionMarch4Children’, have taken to the streets protesting against what they call gender ideology in the nation’s schools. Protesters are complaining that children are being exposed to inappropriate content about sexuality and gender identity, and they support the policies requiring parental consent. Trudeau commented on the issue, writing on X, “Transphobia, homophobia, and biphobia have no place in this country. We strongly condemn this hate and its manifestations, and we stand united in support of 2SLGBTQI+ Canadians across the country — you are valid and you are valued.” [caption id=“attachment_13157052” align=“alignnone” width=“640”] Justin Trudeau’s standoff with India is snowballing into a bigger spat. However, the Canadian PM has many woes to battle at home too. File image/PTI[/caption] The Canadian prime minister has also been accused by the Opposition and others of being soft on drugs . Recently, the western Canadian province of British Columbia began a three-year pilot program to stop prosecuting people for carrying small amounts of heroin, meth, ecstasy, or crack cocaine, as part of an effort to fight a drug overdose crisis. All in all, it seems that it’s not a good time to be a Trudeau. And the question needs to be asked: Will Trudeau brave the storm at home as well as the global stage or will he wither away from the pressure? With inputs from agencies