Justin Trudeau’s announcement this morning demonstrated once again that he is never at fault, and that his own interests take precedence over the good of Canada, and Canadians. While today wasn’t the official end of Justin Trudeau’s political career, you can see it from here.While I personally think it would have been preferable to see the Liberal leader repudiated in a general election, ultimately any mechanism which ends the tenure of the most divisive, ineffectual and destructive prime minister this country has ever seen, should be seized and celebrated.Admittedly, I never thought Trudeau’s hubris would allow him to resign. I’ve written as much in the past. Which is why until I heard him speak those words, I chose to remain highly sceptical. The prime ministers knack for survival is unparalleled, not only in our own country, but arguably in any country which utilizes the Westminster system of government..THOMSON: Trudeau will tough it out.However, Justin Trudeau’s resignation isn’t some altruistic act worthy of praise; although I have no doubt that many Liberal pundits and the CBC will try to paint it in such a way. But they’d be wrong. There is no ground on which to stand and defend Trudeau at this point, he deserves nothing but our collective scorn.I say this because his resignation wasn’t done willingly, or because he knows it’s the right thing to do, it’s because he’s been forced to. He had the political equivalent of knife held under his chin.Had he resigned six or seven months ago of his own accord after more than a year of trailing badly in the polls, rampant crime, and economic stagnation, then some degree of recognition would be warranted.Even his staunchest critics, among which I count myself, wouldn’t begrudge him a modicum of respect for having the courage and decency to put the fortunes of his party and the country ahead of his own personal interests.But he didn’t, so he’ll get no quarter from me now.Nor will I excuse the actions of the limp-wristed Liberal MP’s who brandished that metaphorical blade at his neck, ever since it was unsheathed during their half-hearted Liberal caucus revolt last October.They all knew the truth back then. They knew their Laurentian dauphin’s new clothes were a sham and that the man was no longer fit to govern. But instead of driving the dagger home with the conviction of what was best for their party and for the country, they balked at signing their names to the letter demanding his resignation.As a result Canada’s very own Nero was allowed to walk out of that caucus, tuning his fiddle as if nothing were the matter. It’s no surprise that he went on to wreak three more months of havoc, including stabbing one of his most trusted lieutenants in the back (Freeland,) while damaging our reputation with our largest trading partners incoming administration.Now, he has shut down Parliament.While his own MP’s and many Liberal supporters have largely acted surprised at his behaviour and prompted bewilderment and outrage from everyone else, it was entirely predictable. Yet, nobody with the power to stop it, did.Which essentially seems to be the real story of Justin Trudeau, and how he came to win the Liberal leadership race in 2013 and eventually ended up as prime minister.A vulnerable Liberal Party membership and voting system allowed a man who ‘just wasn’t ready’ to seize power. (Harper and the Conservatives certainly had that right.) Then without ever having to hold himself accountable or fear being held to task by his party, he was left to run amok.That is until now. All it took was for pretty much everything in this country to go completely off the rails, for the members of his caucus to find their spines and force him out.But being true to form it’s no surprise that his departure will be neither swift, nor efficient. Unfortunately, drama is not what this country needs right now, and the sooner he’s finally off the stage and Canadians can have an election, the better.
