12.12.2019 08:33 AM

The Trudeau Liberals lose

Politics is all about symbols. And, this week, the federal government was defeated, symbolically.

Canadians, and the Opposition, are deeply dissatisfied with the government’s approach to China. Two Canadians are still being held hostage by the Chinese; the Chinese government has slapped trade bans on key Canadian imports, like canola and beef; and we’ve been caught in the middle of a seemingly endless US-China extradition spat.

This week, all of that led to the Trudeau Liberals being embarrassed in the House of Commons. The government wasn’t defeated – but it was humiliated.

Governing like you have a majority, when you have a minority, is dangerous.  Just ask this guy.

John Ivison has more, here.

10 Comments

  1. Christian says:

    Canadians are upset because the government still acts like China is our ‘friend’, when it is very obvious to everyone it isn’t. Well, obvious to everyone except people like John Manly who thinks it would be OK to break an international treaty with our biggest trading partner because we need to kow-tow to Beijing. Anyway, beyond pundits and media people who get paid to write about these things, I don’t think the average citizen will care that the Libs lost this motion (I tried reading Ivison’s article, got bored and stopped part way through). Parliament operated the way it should and something Canadians support is being done. That’s good. In fact, Liberals may not mind either as it provides some political coverage to change Canada’s approach to relations with China.

    • Fred from BC says:

      ” Well, obvious to everyone except people like John Manly ”

      And Charlie Angus, who has about as much understanding of foreign policy issues as any other NDP MP.

      Still…it’s about time the government stopped ignoring public opinion on this. China is not a friend and ally to Canada.

  2. joe says:

    It will be interesting to see if the Bloc decides to protect the PM in the Ethics and Justice committees.

    • The Conservatives could have made a motion to call for an investigation into SNC, but choose not to. I don’t know if it was because they knew the Bloc would block it or they think Canadians have moved past it.

      • joe says:

        Darwin,

        I think Scheer had other things on his mind.

        I think they should wait until the new year. No one wants the SNC affair to ruin their Christmas.

      • Chris says:

        The House is only sitting for few more days before taking its holiday break of several weeks. The opposition parties are probably wise to wait until Parliament is back to regular “full-time” sitting to start bringing the SNC stuff out.

  3. Douglas W says:

    Out of the gate, an exceptionally strong strategic move by the Opposition. More moves like this to come? If so, it’s going to be a long winter for Team Trudeau.

  4. Nick M. says:

    Canola and Beef are primarily Western Canadian Exports.

    Just like the Softwood tariffs primarily affects the west.

    The way I see it Is that it’s not a government priority because it’s a western Canada problem.

  5. Ronald O'Dowd says:

    Got to disagree. Just look at Harper’s tactical abilities through two minority governments. So it can be done.

  6. Joseph says:

    Interesting that you would recollect this bit of history.
    And if I’m not mistaken after the party had its next leadership convention they got a leader that brought them two majorities.
    I can still recall the ad with the wilting rose.

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