In the summer of 2021, Justin Trudeau argued that he needed a new mandate to lead Canadians through the COVID-19 pandemic.
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It was a curious move — calling an election in the middle of a public health crisis, with lockdowns still in place, masks mandatory, and uncertainty gripping the nation.
Yet his justification was clear: leading through an extraordinary challenge required fresh validation from the people.
Fast forward to today, and Canadians find themselves facing an economic crisis that dwarfs even the pandemic in its potential to shape our nation’s future. Donald Trump has threatened a devastating 25% tariff on Canadian exports, a move that would cripple industries and cost countless jobs.
It’s not hyperbole to say this could be the single greatest economic challenge our country has ever faced. And yet, this time, the prime minister isn’t calling for a new mandate. He looks defeated, worn down by scandal, disunity within his own party, and declining public confidence. His government is limping along while Canadians brace for the economic fallout.
Why the change in calculus? If Trudeau believed Canadians needed to endorse his pandemic plan at the ballot box, how can he justify clinging to power without fresh public support now, as Canada stares down the barrel of an economic disaster?
The stakes could not be higher. Trump’s tariffs will not only damage our economy but also our ability to respond. Leadership matters in moments like this. A government with no clear mandate and no fresh ideas is a recipe for indecision, delay, and political paralysis.
Worse still, dragging out the inevitable risks plunging Canadians into an election in the middle of an economic storm, with a new government forced to pick up the pieces and scramble to chart a course in the midst of chaos.
This is not about partisan politics; it’s about preparing Canada for what lies ahead. A divided, distracted government cannot effectively navigate a crisis of this magnitude.
If Trudeau genuinely believes in his own argument for a new mandate from the people during times of crisis, he should put his government to the test. If he wants a mandate to take on Trump, he should ask for one from the people.
Canadians deserve clarity and confidence as we face this economic threat — not political inertia. Leadership is about stepping up, not clinging on.
If Trudeau wants Canadians to trust him with their future, he should give them the chance to decide if they still do. And if he won’t, it raises an uncomfortable question: is this about what’s best for Canada or what’s best for Justin Trudeau?
The country deserves an answer — and a chance to choose.
— Fred DeLorey is the Chair and Chief Strategy Officer of NorthStar Public Affairs, and a veteran of federal, provincial, and municipal campaigns, most recently serving as Strategic Advisor to Halifax Mayor Andy Fillmore.