EDITORIAL: Put a sock in it and show respect

Article content

Justin Trudeau’s choice of footwear at the Speech from the Throne is the perfect metaphor for this country’s lost decade when he was prime minister. 

Others showed respect for Parliament by wearing appropriate attire: first nations ceremonial dress; military uniforms; polished Oxfords.  Trudeau showed up in a pair of neon turquoise and orange sneakers. His Crocs must have been at the cleaners. 

Perhaps he has a foot injury of which we’re unaware. In that case, he could have chosen more subdued shoes. 

As it was, it underscored how he led this country in an unserious way. 

Is it any wonder that U.S. President Donald Trump shows so little respect for us when,  in 2015, Trudeau was quoted in the New York Times saying Canada’s not a real country. 

“There is no core identity, no mainstream in Canada.” he said. He added that we’re, “the first post-national state.” 

His energy policies have done more to alienate Alberta than any government since his father, Pierre. Yes, his government stepped in to complete the Trans Mountain pipeline. That was only after Kinder Morgan walked away, faced with opposition from B.C.. 

Everything Trudeau touched crashed and burned: Immigration; Housing; ArriveCan. You name it. 

When anomalies thought to be children’s graves were found at the sites of former residential schools, Trudeau’s first reaction, before the investigations were even complete, was to plunge this country in a frenzy of self-flagellation. Canada Day was cancelled. Churches burned. Statues were vandalized with false claims about the part the subject played in residential schools. 

Trudeau seemed more concerned about his socks than foreign policy. His childish pranks relegated us to the kids’ table of global politics. He alienated us from trusted organizations such as the Commonwealth, at a time when we needed international friends and global trading partners. He diminished our connection to the Crown, an integral part of our history, our courts, our legislatures and our identity in North America. 

The King’s Speech has to be more than just lip service to restoring worldwide respect for this country. It must be a pledge to restore Canada to being the serious grown-up in the room. 

As for Trudeau,  we hope he laces up those running shoes and jogs off Parliament Hill – for good.