Last night’s debate is unlikely to sway voters, but one thing is clear: everyone hates PM Justin Trudeau.
The night began with the debate moderator essentially asking each candidate, ‘Why are we even here when only Trudeau wants to be?’.
“This is an election that I think people probably agree — maybe not Mr. Trudeau, but I think most of us would agree — that this was not a wanted election,” the moderator said, introducing the first topic.
“If you were to win a minority government, would you commit to not calling a snap election but to respect the four-year term,” the moderator asked. “Mr. Trudeau, in other words, would you not do the same thing twice?”
Trudeau did not answer this question. Instead, Trudeau emphasized the “important decision” Canadians have before parroting everyone’s favourite globalist slogan, “Build Back Better.”
However, the other candidates were more forthcoming on this issue.
“This isn’t the time for an election,” Conservative Party Leader O’Toole said.
“I would like to clearly state that we did not want this election,” NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh concurred.
The only candidate who did not decry the election was Bloc Quebecois Leader Yves-François Blanchet, who is generally for minority governments as he believes they benefit Quebec and hopes to see another.
Trudeau later tried to clarify his reasoning for calling a snap election; however, the issue remained a prominent part of the debate, with candidates latching on to the point while criticizing the selfishness of Trudeau.
“Why this election during the pandemic? Precisely because there are very important decisions to be made on how this will end… Canadians should have a decision in that,” Trudeau said.
As an aside, whenever O’Toole was asked a question that he could not answer — because his answer would alienate his Conservative base — he skillfully pivoted to attack Liberal bedfellow Justin Trudeau.
For example, when asked whether he would institute a federal vaccine mandate, O’Toole dodged the question like a veteran running back to criticize Trudeau’s snap election again.
“You’re still against mandatory vaccines,” the moderator asked O’Toole.
“Vaccines are essential. Vaccines are safe and effective, and I encourage all Canadians and all Quebecers to get vaccinated,” O’Toole said, not saying whether he supports a mandate.
“But in the middle of a pandemic, this isn’t the time to be dividing people. We need to work together. We need to work together at every level of government. We need to use all the tools we have. Vaccines, daily rapid testing, masks, physical distancing.”
“In the midst of a pandemic, why did Mr. Trudeau call an election? We need to work against the fourth wave of the pandemic, not on the election campaign,” O’Toole said.
Singh agreed, saying, “There are still issues that have to be rectified. We have to realize it, and we have to act. So why did you trigger these elections? It’s complete nonsense.”
“I completely agree with Mr. Singh on this point,” Green Party Leader Annamie Paul said.
Party leaders also went out of their way to poke holes in Trudeau’s track record, from failed promises to his manhandling of Quebec.
“In six years, [Trudeau has] the worst record of the G7 countries,” Singh asserted. “The reality is that you promised to eliminate oil subsidies, which is a good promise, but instead of doing that, you increased oil subsidies.”
Paul subsequently criticized Trudeau over his environmental record, too.
Though, perhaps the biggest showdown of the night was after Blanchet criticized Trudeau’s treatment of Quebec.
Blanchet’s comments visibly triggered Trudeau, who went on a whole minute-long tirade about his identity and how he will “always be Quebecois,” and that he should have some authority in Quebec’s policy, too.
Blanchet appeared far more stoic by comparison, listening on almost indifferently, and it is not clear his comments warranted such an outburst.
Indeed, as the night went on, Trudeau could be seen getting angrier and angrier, having only just found reprieve from the hatred of the many pro-freedom protesters greeting him across the country.
The morning after did not fare any better for the disgruntled politician.
Today, Quebec Premier Francois Legault all but endorsed O’Toole, leaving Trudeau a friendless mess of lost opportunities.
According to Legault, Trudeau abandoned the province, and his debate performance offered no reassurance.
“It took four years!” Legault yelled, referring to housing subsidies.
“Mr. Trudeau is proposing these kinds of fights again for years and years. We don’t need that.”
He explained that he wants the Federal government to respect Quebec’s provincial authority in matters pertaining to Quebec, which O’Toole appears more willing to do.
“But Mr. Trudeau is saying, ‘No, no, I will get involved in all kinds of subjects for the good of Canadians.’ He’s saying that he’s better than us at managing CHSLDs, for example,” Legault said.
He did not treat the other candidates — besides O’Toole — more favourably.
“Clearly, Mr. Trudeau, Mr. Singh, and Mrs. Paul don’t want to give us more power,” he continued.
“In fact, they want to get more involved in our jurisdiction.”
Trudeau now finds himself alone and distraught. Cast out and denounced by his home province, his abysmal performance is likely to lessen if not obliterate his chances of reelection.
Indeed, it seems that no one likes Trudeau, and no one is coming to save him.
