Dear Editor:
While I understand it was politically necessary for Justin Trudeau to step down, I still have a great deal of respect for him and I thank him for his many years of service to Canada. I cannot comprehend the level of vitriol that is being tossed about online.
It just seems so completely unfair and misplaced. While I have not agreed with every decision that Trudeau has made, he embodies to me the values and principles that we need as a leader in Canada. And I worry terribly about the type of leadership we could end up with after the next election.
I will never forget Trudeau’s caring stewardship of Canadians through the days of COVID-19 and how he did everything in his power to make sure that citizens and businesses alike had the means to survive. Canada emerged from COVID in far better shape than many other nations and yet so many seem to forget that fact.
The whole world is dealing with the problems that Canada is facing and, relatively speaking, we are in far better shape than many. So for those of you who are celebrating Trudeau’s resignation, I think the old adage of “the devil you do know as opposed to the devil you don’t know” is likely quite fitting.
Please consider the following.
Canada has a AAA credit rating and the lowest debt-to-GDP ratio in the entire G7. Over 1.1 million more Canadians are employed compared to before the pandemic, marking the fastest job recovery rate in the entire G7.
Inflation has been reduced to 2.8%; expected to be 2% by the end of 2024.
Trudeau cleaned up many water issues, lifting 144 long-term boil water advisories. Yes, 144. Conservatives under Harper lifted zero.
The carbon tax that Poilievre fought against puts more money into the hands of eight out of 10 Canadians with the rebate.
Trudeau advanced a ban on harmful single-use plastics and banned microbeads in toiletries.
He helped Canadians improve the energy efficiency of their homes and reduce their energy bills by providing homeowners with up to $5,000 in grants to retrofit their homes and made interest-free loans of up to $40,000 available.
He committed to ensuring 100% of vehicles sold in Canada be zero-emission by 2035 and supported automakers and auto-workers to produce in Canada.
He introduced tougher rules for managing chemicals that will enshrine Canadians’ right to a healthy environment for the first time in our history.
He legalized cannabis.
Just some food for thought when we reflect on Trudeau’s legacy and the future of the Liberal party and realize the Conservatives offer a denial of climate change.
Timothy Flannery,
Elora