The Liberal MPs are obsequious to a ridiculous (delusional) degree. To think that these ppl who had the wherewithal to get elected & all that that entailed, makes me wonder how they allowed themselves to end up as fearful trained dogs; how they’ve willingly chose to remain in this servile situation. The mindset baffles me.
Resume: Sat as Liberal MP for 8 years. Never participated in anything of consequence, voted as whipped to do so, followed obediently when scandal after scandal showed that the leadership was beyond corrupt, gratefully accepted crumbs of attention & was ignored by anyone of consequence. So, yes, I’d make a valuable addition to your company.
Maybe change that 8 year gap as a stay at home parent.
So much this. But to add to that, they even partook in the harassment of regular Canadians: people who voted Conservative, people who had TFSAs, people who hunted, people who made up the once totally acceptable 20% of the population that were unvaccinated. The list goes on. A huge number of elected Liberal MPs demonstrated actual contempt towards the electorate. I'll never forgive them for that.
Oh yes. That sneering contempt for ‘unacceptable views’ ~read that to mean anyone who disagreed with the Liberal stance~ and the smug self-assurance that they alone are leading the great unwashed masses to Liberal Enlightenment.
And which one of them disagreed with freezing bank accts, seizing private property? That last one, I knew then that the Canada we once had, was lost. Gone.
And, I can't believe I didn't mention it in my previous post, the tacit enabling and acceptance of antisemitism. The country has seriously deteriorated on their watch. They own this. All of them. This is their legacy.
Where's the "tacit enabling and acceptance of antisemitism"? There's plenty of sound criticisms to make of the Trudeau government, but the idea that the incumbent federal government is primarily responsible for the cultural behaviour of a minority of citizens is absurd. No one anywhere became an anti-Semite because of something that a Cabinet minister said.
Where governments can and do shape the national tone is primarily around the integrity of our political institutions. Trudeau has not improved the quality of our democracy by usual historical standards, but the Trudeau era brought an end to the unhinged desperation of the Harper government to escalate tensions and perpetually test the boundaries of Westminster institutions in response to each and every single policy criticism.
There's plenty of sound criticisms to make of the Trudeau government, and Trudeau has not improved the quality of our democracy by usual historical standards. But the Trudeau era brought an end to the unhinged desperation of the Harper government to escalate tensions and perpetually test the boundaries of Westminster institutions in response to each and every single policy criticism. Trudeau is not a consequential Prime Minister.
It will be interesting to see what happens in the coming weeks. I doubt the liberal mps have a big enough backbone to revolt. They didn’t after so many of the controversies that Trudeau was directly linked to and have supported him even when his decisions have posed a risk to Canada. So I’d be surprised if they actually do revolt now. Either way - maybe the one possible positive would be a new election.
Actually - now I wonder if there was a revolt that led to the early election in 2021? There were definitely some not great stories that Trudeau was involved with at the time.
Thanks Mitch this is a great outline of what to watch for as things unfold over the next while. I will use it as an outline to check the boxes and I will steal it shamelessly as I impress my friends with my perspicacity over the next probably not too long as things in Ottawa unfold. One more reason that I value my subscription to The Line
It's also important for the new leader to take out those who started and organized the revolt. You know what those folks are capable of, why would you want them to eventually come after you?
Great column, and its all well and good, except when the Leader cant or won't read the room and make the changes that are needed. Rumour is Trudeau is looking at swapping Freeland for the UNELECTED Carney... what is needed is punting Freeland and Giulbealt and finding a fiscal conservative and a climate moderate, Carney does none of that!
Thank you for this thoughtful tour of how our political parties manage dissent (in the extreme instance of serious disaffection with the party leader). It will be interesting to see how this plays out in the Liberal Party.
Perhaps I'm wrong, but I've always thought that Justin Trudeau was fairly attentive to the task of engaging his caucus. Evidently I was mistaken.
Mind you, Brian Mulroney had a sterling reputation for engaging his caucus mates, but it didn't stop his Quebecois lieutenant (and long-time friend) Lucien Bouchard from leaving the Progressive Conservative Party.
I've put the beers in the fridge so I can sit back, watch and relax when the liberal caucus implodes.
Anyone noticed that the exact same thing is happening to the US? There seems to be a revolt mounting against Biden. I secretly hope that the US happenings amplify and accelerate what's happening here.
As unrelated as it may be, I can see Biden flaming out making the Liberals shake in their boots.
If you watched some of the recent Biden-Trump 'debate, I think Biden is done like yesterdays dinner. So sad. I'm old, but not that old. Trump came off as actually measured and reasonable.
Trump? To me he lied outrageously, constantly and was an utter disgrace. He certainly did not come across as Biden, to be sure. But measured and reasonable? Yikes!
I have to agree with CF. If you watch trump dispassionately and actually make sense of the words he said, his performance was decent, like a solid B- .
In contrast to Biden, he sounded like a freaking genius.
Having said that, when trump sounds like the measured candidate, it tells you how low we have sunk.
But watching the liberals losing their shit because they're realizing their made up fairy tale of a world doesn't exist is world-class entertainment and I am thoroughly enjoying it.
I think Gerson's penchant for chaos has rubbed off on me.
Same here Anon Mongoose, after years of watching the Liberals steadily invoke evermore assaults (insults) on our Cdn freedom, chaos is actually refreshing. I’ve definitely joined the recreational chaos therapy group.
I’m hoping for a full blown Caucus revolt. It might not put the Prime Minister on EI, but might motivate him to treat his Caucus as assets to nurture and respect rather than nobody’s who are best avoided.
As usual, the timing is working in Trudeau’s favour. Parliament has just headed out to the BBQ circuit and having any number of grumpy MPs gathered together to plot has just become very difficult. There is no scheduled Caucus meeting until late in the summer and Trudeau must be due for a two week holiday break from all the stresses of being so unpopular. Before long, all the steam will be dissipated and Caucus will be content in their role as lambs heading for slaughter.
The Liberal party picked Justin Trudeau after their 2011 election loss. They should have had internal discussions about why they lost and what they needed to change going forward but they didn't. They thought the Trudeau name would be enough to save them without looking at the man behind the name. He has pulled the party far to the left. I wonder if they can ever regain their left center position.
Good article Mitch and it is likely what SHOULD happen (actually should have happened long ago but ...) but I just don't see it at this point. JT is the messiah that the LPC grabed onto and they will just ride it out and look for other jobs. i suspect that many are still believing that JT will pull them into power again running against PP and portraying him as the Grinch who will steal all that is good and proper.
You also have to look at the current caucu and tell me who would be a good choice. The whole lot have been yes people the whole time who worship the ground he walks on so all are tainted. Mark Carney would be as good a choice as Ignatief was - smart but not a communicator nor a 'Canadian'.
You can see how sycophantic the caucus is when they are lined up in picture-perfect lines while leader Justin walks to the podium to give whatever words of wisdom he is going to grace the masses with. They literally clap like trained seals while JT puffs up in acknowledgement of their approval. It's sickening. I'm surprised they don't have confetti to throw and don't make the Love sign with their fingers as he strolls by them to the stand.
“A shiver ran along the [Liberal - and NDP proper-uppers] benches, looking for a spine to run up.” There has been no visible spine since JWR, Jane Philpott, and Celina Caesar-Chavannes.
You are correct. The Harper Government passed the Fixed Election Date in 2007. Harper then ignored it and called an election in 2008 and then again in 2011. There is a clause in the legislation that states, "Nothing in this section affects the powers of the Governor General, including the power to dissolve Parliament at the Governor General’s discretion." Of course, it is the Prime Minister who advises the Governor General to dissolve Parliament.
The only issue is that Harper called the elections before the 4 year fixed term was up whereas Trudeau would be extending his rule past the Fixed Date. Clearly there is a precedent set by Harper though that undermines the legislation. Presumably, with a majority between the Liberals and the NDP, if they were feeling squeemish about simply ignoring the law, could pass legislation allowing them to hold power until September of 2026 or revoking the law entirely.
I cannot disagree with you. It would not go over well generally. But if I was Trudeau, and was steadfast in my decision to run again as the leader of the Liberals, I would probably make the play in hopes that in another year, the global economy had improved thereby lifting the Canadian economy along with it.
What is the point of waiting beyond the US election? The only event that stands a remote chance of improving Liberal prospects is a Trump win. All waiting does is prolong the wait until the party starts rebuilding. The Liberals are done.
Unfortunately, the commentary – including in this forum – all seems to be about the tactical calculations of political parties, with little consideration of what would be best for Canada, in what is likely to be a very difficult period, with a US likely led by Trump.
In other words, instead of looking at whether Singh dares pull the plug, when, or why, shouldn’t the debate be about what is best for Canada?
Not whether Trudeau can buy time with a few school lunches, or a caricature of pharmacare or dental care.
Which may mean that it would be better to have an election soon, so that a new government – especially one with a majority – can get established for what is to come from outside our borders and not just within them.
The Liberal MPs are obsequious to a ridiculous (delusional) degree. To think that these ppl who had the wherewithal to get elected & all that that entailed, makes me wonder how they allowed themselves to end up as fearful trained dogs; how they’ve willingly chose to remain in this servile situation. The mindset baffles me.
Resume: Sat as Liberal MP for 8 years. Never participated in anything of consequence, voted as whipped to do so, followed obediently when scandal after scandal showed that the leadership was beyond corrupt, gratefully accepted crumbs of attention & was ignored by anyone of consequence. So, yes, I’d make a valuable addition to your company.
Maybe change that 8 year gap as a stay at home parent.
Yes, nothing says 'round file' than a resume with 'Liberal MP for 8 years; Trudeau Government'.
Unless you're in need of a good lap dog or a trained seal.
So much this. But to add to that, they even partook in the harassment of regular Canadians: people who voted Conservative, people who had TFSAs, people who hunted, people who made up the once totally acceptable 20% of the population that were unvaccinated. The list goes on. A huge number of elected Liberal MPs demonstrated actual contempt towards the electorate. I'll never forgive them for that.
Oh yes. That sneering contempt for ‘unacceptable views’ ~read that to mean anyone who disagreed with the Liberal stance~ and the smug self-assurance that they alone are leading the great unwashed masses to Liberal Enlightenment.
And which one of them disagreed with freezing bank accts, seizing private property? That last one, I knew then that the Canada we once had, was lost. Gone.
And, I can't believe I didn't mention it in my previous post, the tacit enabling and acceptance of antisemitism. The country has seriously deteriorated on their watch. They own this. All of them. This is their legacy.
Where's the "tacit enabling and acceptance of antisemitism"? There's plenty of sound criticisms to make of the Trudeau government, but the idea that the incumbent federal government is primarily responsible for the cultural behaviour of a minority of citizens is absurd. No one anywhere became an anti-Semite because of something that a Cabinet minister said.
Where governments can and do shape the national tone is primarily around the integrity of our political institutions. Trudeau has not improved the quality of our democracy by usual historical standards, but the Trudeau era brought an end to the unhinged desperation of the Harper government to escalate tensions and perpetually test the boundaries of Westminster institutions in response to each and every single policy criticism.
There's plenty of sound criticisms to make of the Trudeau government, and Trudeau has not improved the quality of our democracy by usual historical standards. But the Trudeau era brought an end to the unhinged desperation of the Harper government to escalate tensions and perpetually test the boundaries of Westminster institutions in response to each and every single policy criticism. Trudeau is not a consequential Prime Minister.
It will be interesting to see what happens in the coming weeks. I doubt the liberal mps have a big enough backbone to revolt. They didn’t after so many of the controversies that Trudeau was directly linked to and have supported him even when his decisions have posed a risk to Canada. So I’d be surprised if they actually do revolt now. Either way - maybe the one possible positive would be a new election.
Actually - now I wonder if there was a revolt that led to the early election in 2021? There were definitely some not great stories that Trudeau was involved with at the time.
I think many will be spending the summer in their ridings looking for new jobs, knowing full well their days at the trough are numbered!
Who would hire them, though? The Peter Principle is still pretty much in vogue in Canada, I suppose, so that will help a lot of them.
The people who have been so handsomely rewarded by this wretched, sinister government might take them in.
Thanks Mitch this is a great outline of what to watch for as things unfold over the next while. I will use it as an outline to check the boxes and I will steal it shamelessly as I impress my friends with my perspicacity over the next probably not too long as things in Ottawa unfold. One more reason that I value my subscription to The Line
It's also important for the new leader to take out those who started and organized the revolt. You know what those folks are capable of, why would you want them to eventually come after you?
Great column, and its all well and good, except when the Leader cant or won't read the room and make the changes that are needed. Rumour is Trudeau is looking at swapping Freeland for the UNELECTED Carney... what is needed is punting Freeland and Giulbealt and finding a fiscal conservative and a climate moderate, Carney does none of that!
What is NEEDED is a long period of time in the wilderness for this wretched (il)Liberal bunch of know-nothing activists!
Thank you for this thoughtful tour of how our political parties manage dissent (in the extreme instance of serious disaffection with the party leader). It will be interesting to see how this plays out in the Liberal Party.
Perhaps I'm wrong, but I've always thought that Justin Trudeau was fairly attentive to the task of engaging his caucus. Evidently I was mistaken.
Mind you, Brian Mulroney had a sterling reputation for engaging his caucus mates, but it didn't stop his Quebecois lieutenant (and long-time friend) Lucien Bouchard from leaving the Progressive Conservative Party.
Sometimes the issues trump all else.
I've put the beers in the fridge so I can sit back, watch and relax when the liberal caucus implodes.
Anyone noticed that the exact same thing is happening to the US? There seems to be a revolt mounting against Biden. I secretly hope that the US happenings amplify and accelerate what's happening here.
As unrelated as it may be, I can see Biden flaming out making the Liberals shake in their boots.
If you watched some of the recent Biden-Trump 'debate, I think Biden is done like yesterdays dinner. So sad. I'm old, but not that old. Trump came off as actually measured and reasonable.
I watched it in its entirety for the great entertainment that it is. I didn't regret it.
Trump? To me he lied outrageously, constantly and was an utter disgrace. He certainly did not come across as Biden, to be sure. But measured and reasonable? Yikes!
I have to agree with CF. If you watch trump dispassionately and actually make sense of the words he said, his performance was decent, like a solid B- .
In contrast to Biden, he sounded like a freaking genius.
Having said that, when trump sounds like the measured candidate, it tells you how low we have sunk.
But watching the liberals losing their shit because they're realizing their made up fairy tale of a world doesn't exist is world-class entertainment and I am thoroughly enjoying it.
I think Gerson's penchant for chaos has rubbed off on me.
Same here Anon Mongoose, after years of watching the Liberals steadily invoke evermore assaults (insults) on our Cdn freedom, chaos is actually refreshing. I’ve definitely joined the recreational chaos therapy group.
I’m hoping for a full blown Caucus revolt. It might not put the Prime Minister on EI, but might motivate him to treat his Caucus as assets to nurture and respect rather than nobody’s who are best avoided.
As usual, the timing is working in Trudeau’s favour. Parliament has just headed out to the BBQ circuit and having any number of grumpy MPs gathered together to plot has just become very difficult. There is no scheduled Caucus meeting until late in the summer and Trudeau must be due for a two week holiday break from all the stresses of being so unpopular. Before long, all the steam will be dissipated and Caucus will be content in their role as lambs heading for slaughter.
At least we know the rebels are only in this for their jobs and not for the love of country. Shameless to the last, each one.
The discontent with Trudeau and his party is becoming the only thin people talk about....it's only a matter of time.
The Liberal party picked Justin Trudeau after their 2011 election loss. They should have had internal discussions about why they lost and what they needed to change going forward but they didn't. They thought the Trudeau name would be enough to save them without looking at the man behind the name. He has pulled the party far to the left. I wonder if they can ever regain their left center position.
Good article Mitch and it is likely what SHOULD happen (actually should have happened long ago but ...) but I just don't see it at this point. JT is the messiah that the LPC grabed onto and they will just ride it out and look for other jobs. i suspect that many are still believing that JT will pull them into power again running against PP and portraying him as the Grinch who will steal all that is good and proper.
You also have to look at the current caucu and tell me who would be a good choice. The whole lot have been yes people the whole time who worship the ground he walks on so all are tainted. Mark Carney would be as good a choice as Ignatief was - smart but not a communicator nor a 'Canadian'.
We are cursed with exciting times.
You can see how sycophantic the caucus is when they are lined up in picture-perfect lines while leader Justin walks to the podium to give whatever words of wisdom he is going to grace the masses with. They literally clap like trained seals while JT puffs up in acknowledgement of their approval. It's sickening. I'm surprised they don't have confetti to throw and don't make the Love sign with their fingers as he strolls by them to the stand.
Sort of reminds one of the 'Dear Leader' of North Korea
Tick, tick, tick......
“A shiver ran along the [Liberal - and NDP proper-uppers] benches, looking for a spine to run up.” There has been no visible spine since JWR, Jane Philpott, and Celina Caesar-Chavannes.
Yup. Seems about right
Not going to happen. Moreover, if I understand the constitutional law correctly, there need not be another election until as late September 2026.
You are correct. The Harper Government passed the Fixed Election Date in 2007. Harper then ignored it and called an election in 2008 and then again in 2011. There is a clause in the legislation that states, "Nothing in this section affects the powers of the Governor General, including the power to dissolve Parliament at the Governor General’s discretion." Of course, it is the Prime Minister who advises the Governor General to dissolve Parliament.
The only issue is that Harper called the elections before the 4 year fixed term was up whereas Trudeau would be extending his rule past the Fixed Date. Clearly there is a precedent set by Harper though that undermines the legislation. Presumably, with a majority between the Liberals and the NDP, if they were feeling squeemish about simply ignoring the law, could pass legislation allowing them to hold power until September of 2026 or revoking the law entirely.
That would be very unwise of them IMHO.
I cannot disagree with you. It would not go over well generally. But if I was Trudeau, and was steadfast in my decision to run again as the leader of the Liberals, I would probably make the play in hopes that in another year, the global economy had improved thereby lifting the Canadian economy along with it.
What is the point of waiting beyond the US election? The only event that stands a remote chance of improving Liberal prospects is a Trump win. All waiting does is prolong the wait until the party starts rebuilding. The Liberals are done.
Unfortunately, the commentary – including in this forum – all seems to be about the tactical calculations of political parties, with little consideration of what would be best for Canada, in what is likely to be a very difficult period, with a US likely led by Trump.
In other words, instead of looking at whether Singh dares pull the plug, when, or why, shouldn’t the debate be about what is best for Canada?
Not whether Trudeau can buy time with a few school lunches, or a caricature of pharmacare or dental care.
Which may mean that it would be better to have an election soon, so that a new government – especially one with a majority – can get established for what is to come from outside our borders and not just within them.