Federal elections are slated for October in Canada, but it's uncertain if Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s government will hold until then. The New Democratic Party (NDP), supporting the minority government for two and a half years, plans to push a no-confidence motion against Trudeau under leader Jagmeet Singh. As the New Year approaches, they intend to withdraw support, while Trudeau's popularity plummets both within his party and nationwide.
Is Trudeau's attempt to appease the Sikh population backfiring, or is there another reason behind the dissent?
The saying to “abandon half in pursuit of the whole” is proving true for PM Trudeau. In 2015, at age 43, he emerged as Canada's youngest leader. International acclaim followed quickly until Donald Trump took office in the US in 2017.
As Trump sought to curb immigrants, Trudeau boldly upheld Canada's liberal policies, welcoming those rejected by the US. However, this stance strained Canada-US relations subtly, influencing other countries to distance themselves from Trudeau’s policies.
Source: aajtak
Necessity for Alliances with Smaller Parties
Trudeau's approaches impacted Canadian voters, as evident in the next election results. By 2019, his popularity waned, necessitating alliances with other parties to secure an election win, notably the New Democratic Party led by Jagmeet Singh. Despite supporting the government, the NDP is now planning a no-confidence motion.
Waning Support from Allied Parties
Why is the NDP, once supportive, now disillusioned with Trudeau's Liberal Party? While Jagmeet Singh has not directly criticized, he expressed discontent with Trudeau’s policies. He opined that the government has neglected the ordinary public in favor of powerful interests. Even though significant efforts were made for the Sikh community, diplomatic tensions might explain Singh’s ire. As elections loom, parties seem wary to bet on a losing horse, with NDP among them.
Discontent Among Canadians
Adding to governmental partners withdrawing support, Trudeau faces dissatisfaction from Canadians, akin to “salt on a wound“. According to an Ipsos survey, around 73% of Canadians want his resignation. Even within his Liberal Party, 43% aren’t keen on Trudeau as their leader.
Source: aajtak
Public Discontent
- Inflation and unemployment surge post-pandemic, reaching about 6.5%, troubling the public alongside burdensome tax policies. - Trudeau’s open immigration approach leaves locals feeling displaced, paralleling US policies, adding refugees, including those affected by Islamic State, impacting job markets and healthcare. - Trudeau battles numerous scandals, including a 2018 harassment claim, tarnishing his image, magnified by personal challenges like separation after 18 years of marriage.
- On the global stage, under Trudeau's leadership, Canada's image dwindles, leaving voters displeased as evidenced by tepid reception from global leaders.
The Trump Effect on Canada
With Donald Trump resurfacing in the US narrative, it affects Canadian parties and population discourse. Recently, Trump threatened a 25% tariff on Canada, which could cripple Canadian economy. To avoid Trump’s ire, even Liberals appear cautious about openly supporting Trudeau. Despite October elections, a January no-confidence motion might push for early voting.
