What on earth are you waiting for, Jagmeet? Don’t give Trudeau more time to ruin our country
Mr. Jagmeet Singh,
Leader of the New Democratic Party
Member of Parliament for Burnaby South
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Dear Jagmeet,
Greetings. I hope you’re doing well.
I decided to craft this week’s Troy Media syndicated column in the style of an open letter. Some will consider this to be a direct appeal to your personal sensibilities as a political leader. Others may choose to view it as a direct means of pressing you to use some common sense in dealing with the frustrating situation currently at play in Ottawa.
While I’ve met some of your predecessors, including the late Ed Broadbent and Jack Layton, you and I have never spoken at any great depth. We did have a fleeting conversation when you were an Ontario NDP MPP. Hardly a moment that needs to be permanently etched in history for future generations to consider!
 Make this the Best Christmas Ever! for Canadians, Jagmeet. |
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It’s no secret that I’ve been critical of your leadership and political career, both in Canadian media and publications abroad. Why, then, should you pay attention to a longtime conservative columnist and former speechwriter for Stephen Harper? The answer is simple: my advice is logical, helpful, and – crucially – beneficial to your political ambitions. You might not like everything I’m about to say, but if you want your influence to materialize rather than evaporate before the next election, it’s time to pay attention.
Let’s start with two indisputable points:
- Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has been a national and international embarrassment for much of his nine years in power.
- His Liberal government barely has a political pulse these days.
The reasons for Trudeau’s downfall are plentiful. Three blackface scandals. Two ethics violations. Public spats with female MPs and ministers. Allegations of Chinese election interference in the 2019 and 2021 elections. The carbon tax. Spending taxpayer dollars like a drunken sailor. Surfing with his family in Tofino, B.C., during the first National Truth and Reconciliation Day. Speaking out of both sides of his mouth about Israel and the Middle East. Allowing a Nazi to be honoured in Parliament. Icy relations with China, India and two U.S. presidents, Donald Trump and Joe Biden.
What happened on Monday, however, highlighted a level of political dysfunction rarely seen, even under this mediocre and ineffective Prime Minister.
The stunning resignation of Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland revealed deep cracks in the government. According to her letter to Trudeau, she was asked to step down last Friday, stating, “in making your decision, you made clear that I no longer credibly enjoy that confidence and possess the authority that comes with it.” She criticized the Prime Minister for his inability to work with provinces and territories to deal with Trump’s impending 25 per cent tariffs on Canadian goods and his tendency to prioritize “costly political gimmicks” over the interest of Canadians.
The chaos culminated in no one formally presenting the Fall Economic Statement on Monday. Government House Leader Karina Gould simply tabled it and walked away, leaving behind a staggering $61.9-billion deficit.
Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc was appointed to replace Freeland as Finance Minister, though many believed that former Bank of Canada and Bank of England governor Mark Carney was Trudeau’s preferred choice. On the same day, rumours swirled that Trudeau was preparing to either prorogue Parliament or resign. The Prime Minister remained out of sight for hours, only to reappear that evening at a Laurier Club Event in Gatineau, Que., where he addressed a friendly audience as if nothing had happened.
The local and international media had a field day with this volatile situation. The Prime Minister’s reputation has been shattered for some time, but he’s taking Canada down with him – personally, politically and financially.
Jagmeet, this is your moment.
The combined seat tallies of the Conservatives, Bloc Quebecois, Greens and Independent MPs can’t mathematically bring Trudeau down. A vote of non-confidence in Parliament can only succeed with NDP support.
You know this. I know this. Canadians know this.
Yes, Pierre Poilievre and the Conservatives will likely win the next election. Polls suggest it could be a majority victory even greater than what Paul Martin dreamed of in 2004 (which, as we know, he failed to achieve). The odds of Trudeau – or any Liberal leader – beating Poilievre are slim to none.
It’s no secret that you and Poilievre hold fundamentally different views on political and economic matters. You disagree with most aspects of the Conservative platform – and always will. If Poilievre replaces Trudeau as Prime Minister, you risk losing what little influence you have left in the current parliamentary session.
You also stand to lose your generous pension, which reportedly kicks in around March 2025. I’m sure you’ll deny that this has influenced your decision to keep the Trudeau government afloat. Then again, when was the supply and confidence agreement supposed to end? Oh, that’s right – June 2025. Just sayin’.
Here’s the thing, Jagmeet. You’re ignoring what you could potentially gain by bringing down the Trudeau Liberals.
Despite the brave face you and your party show in public, there isn’t a chance you will win the next federal election. The NDP has never held power in Ottawa, and 2025 won’t be the year it happens. But you could position yourself as Canada’s next Leader of the Opposition, a hero to progressive Canadians for ending the Liberal reign of incompetence. By pulling the plug, you can present the NDP as the real alternative to Trudeau’s broken Liberals.
This isn’t without precedent. After the Liberals collapsed under then-Liberal leader Michael Ignatieff in 2011, there was chatter of their extinction or a merger with the NDP. Trudeau temporarily saved them in 2015, but under his leadership, the party is sinking to new lows. If you wait, the Liberals might drag you down with them.
However, the window of opportunity is closing fast. You don’t have the funds or support to run a high-intensity political campaign in 2025. Your decision to tear up the supply-and-confidence agreement in September hasn’t absolved you in the eyes of Canadians. Many still blame you for propping up Trudeau longer than he deserved.
When asked by reporters on Monday, you stated that Trudeau should resign but stopped short of committing to support a vote of non-confidence. Meanwhile, NDP House Leader Peter Julian indicated on CBC that the party would consider helping to bring down Trudeau if he remains Prime Minister by February or March of next year.
What on earth are you waiting for, Jagmeet? Don’t give Trudeau more time to ruin our country, and stop grumbling about what Poilievre will do as Prime Minister. Pull the plug on the Liberal government and let Canadians decide who should be our country’s next leader.
This is your moment to do the right thing. Stop worrying about what Poilievre will do as Prime Minister, and focus on what you can do for Canada right now.
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to you and your family.
Regards,
Michael
Michael Taube is a political commentator, Troy Media syndicated columnist and former speechwriter for Prime Minister Stephen Harper. He holds a master’s degree in comparative politics from the London School of Economics, lending academic rigour to his political insights.
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