Justin Trudeau is not a dictator, contrary to the opinion of writer

By Lethbridge Herald on April 21, 2022.

Editor:

The April 6 letter from Tom Yeoman defending Rachael Thomas demands an immediate response.

Although Justin Trudeau has made a lot of mistakes, he is not a dictator. 

 It is offensive to use that term when the world is focusing on the conduct of Vladimir Putin.  Trudeau has not silenced the media, has not imprisoned or poisoned the opposition, has not committed war crimes.  When he loses an election he will no longer be prime minister.

Tom should go back and research parliamentary democracy.   It is true a Prime Minister, with a majority (or an effective coalition with other parties) has more power than an American president:   Trudeau can make laws and pass budgets, and has a lot of influence in the appointment of judges.

Tom’s example of using the EU parliament member Mislav Kolakusic’s “deadly accurate” quote is foolish. Kolakusic, right wing extremist and an anti-vaxxer who claimed tens of thousands of people were dying from COVID vaccines, only agrees with the rest of the EU motions 14 per cent of the time.  

Two EU members of parliament criticized Trudeau, 703 other members did not.

Trudeau did not get 30 per cent of the vote in the last election; it was more than 33 per cent and within one per cent of the Conservative candidate.  

Combined Liberal and NDP votes were 49 per cent. A national survey recently showed that for the moment 63 per cent of Canadians are satisfied with the new agreement between the Liberals and NDP.

The Globe & Mail called MP Thomas’ “dictator” reference an embarrassment to Lethbridge and the entire Prairies. Justin Trudeau, flawed as he is, is not a dictator – he has no more power than Stephen Harper did when the Conservatives had a majority.

Allan Wilson

Lethbridge