Trudeau’s Rise and Fall: The ‘Political Rock Star’ Who Lost His Shine -

The term “political rock star” was rarely used for Canadian leaders, but it seemed fitting when Justin Trudeau swept into office with a landslide victory in the 2015 election.

When Justin Trudeau stormed into office in 2015 with a resounding victory, the term “political rock star” seemed to fit perfectly. He emerged as a beacon of hope for progressive voters, drawing comparisons to his father, Pierre Elliott Trudeau, whose global celebrity status in the late 1960s and 70s had earned the term “Trudeaumania.” Justin, a former snowboard instructor, bartender, bouncer, and teacher, rose to the pinnacle of Canadian politics, captivating audiences both in Canada and abroad.

In the early days of his leadership, Trudeau promised bold action on climate change and the defense of Indigenous rights and refugees, which resonated with many. His famous statement, “because it’s 2015,” when explaining the gender parity in his first cabinet, solidified his image as a progressive champion. During his international travels, young people eagerly lined up for selfies with the charismatic leader, further cementing his “rock star” status. His declaration of “Canada is back!” after defeating the Conservative prime minister Stephen Harper marked a new era of hope.

However, the honeymoon period did not last long. Despite some notable achievements, including a public inquiry into missing and murdered Indigenous women, legislation for medically assisted suicide, and the legalization of cannabis, support for Trudeau within Canada began to fade. His progressive agenda faced mounting challenges, both domestically and globally. As time passed, Trudeau’s political appeal seemed to diminish, with his former allies in the Liberal party eventually forcing him out of office, and incoming U.S. president Donald Trump mocking him publicly.

Justin Trudeau’s political career, once full of promise and excitement, appears to have fizzled as the “political rock star” leaves office, unable to live up to the initial expectations. His story serves as a reminder of how swiftly political fortunes can change, even for the most captivating leaders.

Justin Trudeau’s tenure as Canada’s prime minister has been marked by both high hopes and growing disappointment. Despite his initial promise, especially on issues like climate change and reconciliation with Indigenous communities, Trudeau has faced criticism for not living up to expectations in these areas. Maxwell Cameron, a political science professor at the University of British Columbia, noted that Trudeau “has not been the reformer that many had hoped for.”

After narrowly being re-elected to lead minority governments in 2019 and 2021, Trudeau’s political fortunes began to falter. Genevieve Tellier, a professor at the University of Ottawa, suggested that Trudeau “probably stayed in power for a year too long,” with the growing dissatisfaction largely due to the high hopes his government had generated. His failure to meet these expectations has led to his eventual fall from grace.

In addition to the domestic challenges, Trudeau also faced external pressures, particularly from the U.S. under former president Donald Trump. Trump had threatened tariffs on Canadian imports, calling Trudeau the “governor” of what he described as the “US state of Canada,” further heightening tensions between the two countries. Trump even mused about the possibility of annexing Canada.

The situation worsened when Chrystia Freeland, Trudeau’s longtime ally and deputy prime minister, resigned in December. Her resignation letter criticized Trudeau for focusing on political gimmicks rather than preparing Canada for the economic impact of potential tariffs. This marked a turning point, leading to a wave of Liberal party dissent.

Despite these challenges, Trudeau’s resignation was only confirmed once the process for choosing a new Liberal leader was set in motion. Trudeau, 53, cited his family as a key source of support throughout his political journey, which began with his election to Parliament in 2008.

However, not all observers view his leadership as a failure. Stephanie Chouinard, a political science professor at Queen’s University, emphasized the positive aspects of his administration, particularly his progressive social programs, such as the national plan to make early childhood care more affordable. She argued that Trudeau’s government represented a progressive shift that hadn’t been seen since the 1970s, highlighting his contributions despite the political challenges that led to his resignation.