Justin Trudeau has been criticized for being invisible during the trucking crisis. But his absence and also his lack of leadership have meant that at this point, he appears sadly paralyzed. It was ultimately the intervention of the Americans that seemed to shake his torpor-ridden government and encourage it to regain control.
Ministers are almost pitiful. Earlier in the week, the Minister of Transport noted aloud the seriousness of the blocking of the Ambassador Bridge. He had unequivocal words: “An illegal blockade” of protesters who “are hurting Canada’s economy and breaking the law”.
OK, and once we’ve denounced this clearly, what do we do? Nothing. Like his government and his leader, he exposes his impotence in broad daylight.
Impossible choices
The more the days pass, the worse Justin Trudeau is taken. Faced with public unrest that disturbs order, as is the case in Ottawa or at the Ambassador Bridge, two attitudes are possible. Either the government makes political gestures that go in the direction of the demands of the demonstrators. This way, he can ease the tension.
Either the government takes the means to discipline the demonstrations and prevent the agitators from behaving like masters of the place. This does not mean preventing the democratic right to demonstrate, but certainly not tolerating trucks taking the center of a city hostage.
Quel leadership ?
Justin Trudeau leads one of the few governments that does not have a plan to withdraw health measures. Quebec had a plan in motion, the final stages of which were unveiled on Tuesday. The other provinces have made announcements along the same lines, as have several European countries.
The Canadian Prime Minister now finds himself in the delicate position where, if he announces a relaxation plan, he will appear to give in to the pressure. Give in to disgruntled MPs who have challenged his authority through public outings and give in to pressure from the streets.
This does not give a very strong image of leadership. Leaders rarely like to find themselves in the role of a “follower” who has their hand forced by people and events. It’s bad for your image and it’s above all a sign of weakness that makes others want to put pressure on you to get what they want.
Justin Trudeau does not want to intervene by the strong method either. It should have been approached differently from the start. Work upstream with the Ottawa police and the Ford government in Ontario. Once the demonstrators are settled in permanent camps, they become more difficult to settle.
The Canadian crisis is seen around the world. It affects Canada’s international image, our trade and it threatens social peace.
The image of a paralyzed prime minister, giving the impression that he would rather be somewhere else, is not reassuring in these tumultuous times.
