Fit To Govern?

"Canadians are tired of Mr. Harper and the negative, cynical approach to politics. Canadians are tired of the politics of fear and division. But they don't just want a different government, they want a better government."
Justin Trudeau, leader of the Liberal Party of Canada

Justin Trudeau gets his picture taken with an unknown person at the State Funeral for Jim Flaherty that took place at St. James Cathedral on Wednesday, April 16, 2014 in Toronto. (Veronica Henri/QMI Agency)

Justin Trudeau was born in 1971, the eldest son of former Prime Minister Pierre Elliot Trudeau and Margaret Sinclair Trudeau. Born to privilege, he appears to see no reason why he cannot coast to success on  his father's reputation as a controversial and storied prime minister of Canada. He inherited the Trudeau name and his father's Party loyalty and the Liberal Party of Canada is enchanted and enthralled with the prospect of finding their way out of their endless wandering in the desert that their own political apathy, record of corruption and public disinterest placed them in.

A succession of failed wannabe Liberal Party leaders whose personas failed to electrify the electorate into once again rewarding the Liberal Party with its much-deserved governing status; a party which had long since convinced itself that it represented the primary Canadian political culture; left the party in the dungeon of despairing dashed hopes. Enter the dauphin with abundant dark hair, a 100-watt smile and self-confidence to spare. He views himself as the party's saviour and the party views him as their longed-for Messiah.

His qualifications for the position that he feels is owed him and the party feels will lead them back to governance of the country are meagre, but no matter, a spell has been cast over those who look for someone for whom they can vote for with unmuted enthusiasm. Youth, vigour, decisiveness and smiles win the day any day, any time of day. His friends recall their McGill University days with the Trudeau scion, when lazy conversation turned lightly on their friend one day becoming prime minister. Friends do tend to encouragement of friends.

Justin Trudeau prepared himself for his journey to Parliament Hill and his assured destiny as prime minister by receiving a bachelor's degree in English at McGill, and a Bachelor's degree in teaching at University of British Columbia. And there, at a private boys' school in Vancouver, he taught drama. A primary requisite for any politician who hopes to succeed; a thespian grounding. He also became a motivational speaker, his name, his presence helping him to garner fat fees he was reluctant to leave behind even while banking his salary as a Member of Parliament.

But before that he sat on the board of the Katimavik youth volunteer program. And in 2003, with a close friend who is now also his chief adviser in the office of the leader of the Liberal Party, Justin Trudeau paddled along the south Nahanni River in the Northwest Territories to demonstrate just how much he is his father's son. And what a perfect photo op that made, for his admirers and supporters and political allies to ohhh and ahhh over the perfectly photogenic family. Reporters and photographers just somehow managing to be present to document the extraordinary event.


Justin along with family (wife Sophie, 4 year old daughter Ella-Grace and 5 year old son Xavier) joined Nahanni Neil Hartling and son Lars on a morning canoe this week through Miles Canyon.

Justin Trudeau's occasional lapses from script have been revealing with respect to what lingers in his head and the kind of impact what lingers has on his understanding of the world at large and its critical trouble-spots. Leading him to make puzzling statements that don't do too much to emphasize his monumental creative thinking and general intelligence, both of which have been kept well hidden from those curious about what precisely he feels he can bring to the office he craves other than heritage, looks, cute kids and concern for the Canadian middle class.

Under Justin Trudeau there are no longer Liberals in the Senate of Canada. Under Justin Trudeau, there will be no debate over the right to abortion with no guidelines, in Canada. Under Justin Trudeau, one must understand where terrorists are coming from in sympathy with what they have experienced to motivate them to terror. Under Justin Trudeau, China's government is admirable. Under Justin Trudeau, Ukraine's burgeoning conflict has at its genesis a bit of light humour.

Fit to govern?