Saturday November 23, 2024
Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Saturday November 23, 2024
Trudeau’s GST Relief Is a Desperate Attempt to Avoid a Liberal Meltdown
Justin Trudeau’s GST rebate announcement is less about addressing the real issues facing Canadians and more about clinging to power in the face of plummeting poll numbers. Like the Democrats’ arrogance in the U.S., the Liberals’ reliance on temporary handouts instead of meaningful reforms underscores a dangerous detachment from the economic and political realities Canadians face every day.
As the cost of living soars and productivity stagnates, Canadians need bold, structural changes to revive economic growth—not more short-term relief designed to buy votes. The Liberals’ redistributive policies fail to tackle the root causes of economic discontent, such as regulatory barriers, unaffordable housing, and declining investment. Instead, they mimic the Democrats’ misguided overconfidence that voters would overlook their struggles in favour of ideological consistency.
Globe Editorial: Justin Trudeau’s sales-tax holiday from reality
This arrogance isn’t new. Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland’s infamous Disney+ anecdote—offering to cut a streaming subscription as advice for managing inflation—remains a glaring example of the government’s tone-deafness. Middle-income Canadians don’t need patronizing soundbites; they need a government that understands their hardships. Instead, the GST rebate feels like a weak attempt to placate these frustrations without delivering real solutions.
Much like the Democrats, the Liberals are doubling down on their policies despite clear signs that voters want change. Whether it’s emissions caps on the energy sector or a refusal to ease the regulatory burdens on businesses, the government’s approach has been marked by magical thinking. Trudeau and his advisors act as though they know better than voters, even as poll after poll signals mounting dissatisfaction.
Opinion: Trudeau Liberals stick to same path Democrats took to defeat
The parallels with the Democrats’ recent defeat are striking. In both cases, leaders refused to adapt, surrounded themselves with loyalists who reinforced their worldview, and underestimated the depth of public discontent. Trudeau, like Biden, like Kamala Harris, has shown a resistance to change that could spell disaster for his party.
If the Liberals want to avoid the same fate, they must pivot now. Canadians need economic policies that promote growth, reduce inequality, and restore trust in the government’s ability to manage the country. Temporary handouts won’t cut it. Listening to voters and implementing long-term solutions are the only ways to bridge the growing disconnect between the Liberals and the people they claim to serve.
But they should have been acting on this years ago, and in all likelihood, Justin Trudeau and his government are way past their expiry date.