The Trudeau Government: A Daunting Adventure

Whispering in the Wind (WITW 96) November 4, 2015

A good number of Canadians continue to bask in the “sunny ways” of Trudeau mania and the Liberal Party’s successes on October 19 – and a decisive win it was.  Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his cabinet are now facing a four year agenda that is to reflect real change from what was.  At the same time, the Conservative Party of Canada is mired in its own reality; Stephen Harper is no longer at the helm of the “ship of state” – something he, himself created.  What’s so devastating about the Conservative Party, it’s fractured.  There are two distinct groups, some infighting (the Red Tories versus the Blue Tories) with each group having a different view on governance, management and strategy.  And the question for conservatives in Canada: Is there anybody strong enough to mend a torn party, or is it just a failed experiment? 

Justin Trudeau Needs to Set His Priorities, With Some Haste

Over the course of the lengthy 78 day federal election campaign, Liberal leader Justin Trudeau offered something like 171 commitments (promises) to the people of Canada, if he was to form a Liberal government.  Well, the unlikely happened and Justin Trudeau is now Canada’s prime minister with a “majority” government.  As to whether Prime Minister Trudeau and his government can accomplished what was promised within a four year timeframe, only time will tell?  As to Mr. Trudeau’s responses to immediate circumstances and situations, he has not hesitated to act.  Mr. Trudeau has already notified Barack Obama that Canada’s direct military actions in the fight against the Islamic State (ISIS) using fighter jets will cease – and Canadian training efforts in the waring zones will increase.  Mr. Trudeau’s commitment to make Canada home to 25,000 Syrian refugees by Christmas has not changed since the election, even though Canadian hosting organizations and agencies feel there should be a delay.  Mr. Trudeau has invited the provincial premiers (and leaders of the federal opposition parties) to participate in the upcoming environmental conference in Paris, France.  The invitations are an effort to make federal governance more transparent, inclusive and more responsive to other ideas and other governments – Mr. Trudeau is trying to develop some sort of consensus on setting environmental targets?  As to economic / financial / budget matters, Canadians most likely will have to wait until January or February of next year for the Governor General’s Speech from the Throne.  As to keeping Canadians informed, Prime Minister Trudeau could assemble a First Minister’s Conference on the State of the Canadian Union in early December – that would keep Canadians informed as to what is to come and more comfortable with Trudeau’s new approach to governance.

A Footnote

I present this article for publication 24 hours prior to Mr. Trudeau being sworn in as Prime Minister of Canada and the announcement of who is in the Trudeau cabinet.  Speculation is that Mr. Trudeau’s cabinet will be smaller than what has existed in the past and the cabinet will have equal numbers in terms of males and females.  While gender is a criteria in filling any vacancy or post (along with ethnic and regional diversity), it is important for Mr. Trudeau to keep in mind that experience and capacity to deal with issues related to a specific portfolio are equally, if not the most important criteria when judging who sits where.