When rumours began circulating about PM Justin Trudeau calling a snap election, every opposition leader was against it. A transparent ploy for more power, Trudeau appeared to have everything to gain and nothing to lose from the move, and many believed that he would be successful in his endeavour. However, as the election was called and campaigning began, these expectations were shaken, and everything began crumbling away before the former drama teacher’s eyes.

Indeed, he has had a less than warm reception on the campaign trail, and while it is yet to be seen how voters will act on September 20th, many are left wondering how this has already become such a disaster for Trudeau. Here are the big five reasons why Trudeau is performing so poorly in the eyes of Canadians.

Campaign of anger

Since beginning his campaign, Trudeau has faced nothing short of righteous indignation over his handling of the lockdowns. Greeted by boos and frustration, there have been very few stops where Canadians have shown sincere support of his attempt to reclaim a majority government. While he has tried to maintain composure, Trudeau has, more than once, appeared indifferent or outright angry towards Canadians who are done being taken on a ride. This anger, however, has been met with more anger in return, and security concerns have forced him to cancel several events.

Do not let the media gaslight you. Canadians hate Trudeau. Trudeaumania is dead. https://t.co/QigaFL3bRi pic.twitter.com/Sa7FamC0Mc

— Keean Bexte (@TheRealKeean) August 26, 2021

This lad poses with Trudeau and calls him a "commie fuck."

Even the youths hate Trudeau.pic.twitter.com/KcMn2Rtu8k

— Keean Bexte (@TheRealKeean) August 29, 2021

Career of scandals

At this point, no one can be ignorant of Trudeau’s scandal-ridden past. Whether it is the blackface scandal, where Trudeau was caught mocking the very minorities he uses for photo ops, or the WE Charity scandal, where he was caught funnelling money to his family, Trudeau has obliterated his career.

Moreover, making a mockery of your people on the world stage is no small thing, and many Canadians likely feel that it is time for a leader who can rectify the poor image this Prime Minister has presented.

No new ideas

Beyond the humiliation and scandal, Trudeau has also shown that his policies lack as much depth as his character. Having run out of creative solutions to Canadians’ problems — or perhaps more worried about his image — the Liberal Party has begun mimicking other parties’ platforms and policies. This mimicry effectively blurs the lines between parties and makes it difficult to find substance in any candidate, thus making the election a straight-up popularity contest. And, unfortunately for Trudeau, he is in no position to win a popularity contest.

No one likes lockdowns

No one likes lockdowns. Even the people who think lockdowns are necessary cannot possibly enjoy being told that they cannot go to their favourite restaurant or retail shop. Indeed, no one favours the hand that chains them, and restlessness has exploded across Canada in defiance of these chains. As a result, anti-lockdown protests have become common, and many hold the Liberal government responsible for restricting their freedom.

Canadians are tired of it, but it is not clear that Trudeau has any intention of relenting, instead opting for lockdown policies to expand into other sectors for non-disease-related reasons.

Trudeau wants to apply lockdown theory to the climate crisis, to the housing crisis, and to reconciliation, whatever that means. pic.twitter.com/UoqLM3fbUr

— Keean Bexte (@TheRealKeean) August 30, 2021

With a vision for the future like this, it is no wonder that Liberals have lost their lead since campaigning began.

Vaccine Passports

The only thing worse than the restriction of one’s rights is the enforcement of one’s servitude. Several Canadians have tacitly accepted that the government can order their forced vaccination, whether out of fear of social ostracism, fear of a poorly tested medical product, or fear of living as a second-class citizen unable to travel. However, several have shown their hatred of these policies and taken to the streets to protest this tyranny.

While Trudeau has eschewed much of the responsibility for vaccine passports to the provinces, he has begun to influence them more actively and promote vaccine passports, showing his agenda in the process.

Last week, Trudeau pledged $1 billion for any province that needs a little help implementing a vaccine passport system that restricts the rights of the unvaccinated. Under the auspice of public health, Trudeau has shown that an apartheid state is within the realm of reasonable futures for Canada, and Canadians are, understandably, furious.

View of the protest against the domestic vaccine passport in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. pic.twitter.com/xaoFuYMWJl

— Marie Oakes (@TheMarieOakes) August 14, 2021