Justin Trudeau: All gas, no substance!

Raju Korti
If you thought that vote bank politics is confined to only India, perish the thought. This tribe exists across the globe, and Justin Trudeau is perhaps one of its most blatant examples. The now-resigned Canadian prime minister, who came into office riding a wave of progressive rhetoric and youthful charisma, has left a trail of diplomatic blunders, economic mismanagement, and polarizing politics. Forget India, Canada itself will be better off without Trudeau.

Justin Trudeau (Wikipedia grab)

Trudeau's downfall, which culminated in his resignation amidst a looming trade war with the United States and a fractured domestic political climate, has been anything but graceful. One of the final nails in the coffin was his bizarre and baseless allegations against India over the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a known Khalistani terrorist. By accusing India of carrying out an extrajudicial assassination on Canadian soil, Trudeau not only jeopardized Canada’s relations with one of the world’s fastest-growing economies but also exposed his utter disregard for facts and diplomatic prudence.

Let’s break it down: Nijjar was no innocent “activist” as Trudeau’s government attempted to portray. He was a designated terrorist, openly advocating for the dismemberment of a sovereign nation. By pandering to a fringe group of Khalistani sympathizers in Canada -- a significant vote bank in certain constituencies -- Trudeau crossed a line that even his own party found hard to defend. The backlash was swift and severe. India dismissed his allegations as absurd, expelled Canadian diplomats, and froze trade talks. Trudeau, isolated both domestically and internationally, became a political liability even for his Liberal Party.

This was, of course, not Trudeau’s first brush with controversy, but it was certainly his most catastrophic. His almost decade-long tenure as prime minister will be remembered for grandstanding without substance. From lecturing the world on progressive values to donning culturally inappropriate costumes in India, Trudeau’s performative politics often masked a lack of real policy achievements. At home, his government presided over rising inflation, housing crises, and increasing political polarization. Abroad, his sanctimonious tone alienated allies and emboldened critics.

The diplomatic fallout with India is emblematic of Trudeau’s failed leadership. In attempting to cater to a domestic constituency, he managed to alienate a nation that could have been a valuable economic and geopolitical partner. Worse, his allegations gave oxygen to separatist elements that threaten both Indian and Canadian stability. In a globalized world where nations are increasingly interdependent, Trudeau’s myopic focus on short-term political gains has cost Canada dearly.

Meanwhile, as the race to replace Trudeau begins, his rival, Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre, has already gained traction. Even Elon Musk, never the one to shy away from controversy, has thrown his hat behind Poilievre. The new Canadian leader, whoever it is, be, will inherit a fractured nation and a strained foreign policy landscape. But one thing is certain: Trudeau’s exit offers a chance for Canada to reset.

History will judge Justin Trudeau harshly, not just for his failures but for the opportunities he squandered. He could have been a transformative leader, uniting Canada and strengthening its position on the global stage. Instead, he leaves as a cautionary tale of what happens when style is prioritized over substance, and when vote bank politics trumps national interest.

Trudeau was immature, imbecile and brash. Canada deserves better. And so does the world.