This article analyzes the surprising absence of Justin Trudeau from the Canadian election campaign despite his recent departure from office in March 2025. His successor, Mark Carney, has distanced himself from Trudeau's policies to appeal to right-wing voters. Pierre Poilievre, leader of the Conservative Party, however, has constantly brought up Trudeau's name during debates, claiming that Carney's policies are merely a continuation of Trudeau's.
The article highlights several reasons behind Trudeau's fall from power. These include broken promises (such as electoral reform and balanced budgets), unpopular decisions (like increased immigration and a Christmas bonus that was seen as electorally motivated), and several scandals involving a lack of ethics. Trudeau's inability to tolerate dissenting opinions within his team, which led to the resignation of Chrystia Freeland as Deputy Prime Minister, also impacted his image. Ultimately, his decision to seek a fourth mandate despite declining popularity proved to be a major mistake.
The Liberal Party, under Carney, has decided to distance itself from Trudeau in the campaign, acknowledging that his presence would be detrimental. While Carney's close advisors were all members of Trudeau's past administrations, the current campaign focuses on the trade war with the US rather than Trudeau's legacy. The article points out that the Liberals began closing the gap with the Conservatives once it was clear that Trudeau would resign. Trudeau's last weeks in office saw intense negotiations with the US during threatening times, and these last-minute efforts to protect Canadian interests have helped to improve the Liberal's position in polls.
Although Trudeau's name is absent from the current election, his legacy is a complex one. While the article criticizes his mistakes and broken promises, it also acknowledges some of his accomplishments: the federal family benefits, support for businesses and citizens during the pandemic, outreach to Indigenous communities, and the legalization of cannabis. The article concludes that his true legacy will depend on a long-term assessment of his governance.