During the Watergate era 50 years ago, the Washington Post’s Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein popularized the phrase “the non-denial denial.” It meant a statement from a Watergate conspirator that, on the surface, sounded like a denial but which, on closer examination, was not. A non-denial allowed the speaker to avoid being called a liar.
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In that light, it’s clear Monday’s resignation by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was in fact a non-resignation resignation. Trudeau said he was resigning (Yay!), but that he would not leave the Prime Minister’s office until his Liberal party has selected his replacement.
The typical way for a prime minister or party leader to exit is for them to resign effective immediately. Their party then appoints an interim, holds a leadership race and declares a new leader in approximately six months.
Given that Trudeau said he would break with that tradition and stay on until his replacement is sworn in, Canadians may have to endure his continued leadership until late March at the earliest and possibly June or July.
See what I mean about a non-resignation resignation?
There were very believable rumours out of senior Liberal circles this past weekend that Trudeau returned from his snowboarding holiday mostly (but not entirely) convinced he should step down. He is said to be very determined to host the G7 summit this coming June in Alberta’s Kananaskis Country. So unless the party and caucus agreed to let him stay on another five-and-a-half months, he was not keen to leave.
READ THE SPEECH: The full text of Justin Trudeau’s resignation announcement
KINSELLA: This was the moment Trudeau told us he was done
Trudeau gave no indication on Monday of when he intends to pack up his office and call in the moving vans. He left the process of selecting his replacement — including the date — to the Liberal party executive.
It has been clear throughout his tenure, though, that Trudeau sees himself as a colossus straddling the globe. He has diminished Canada’s international standing so much we are no longer relevant in many global forums and organizations. Still, it is not hard to imagine him thinking he can show the world just what a powerhouse he is on the world stage by staying on until after this year’s G7 meetings. (And maybe audition for a new job with the U.N., the World Economic Forum or some other international organization.)
Recall that in the waning days of his time as prime minister, Justin’s father, Pierre Trudeau, jetted to several foreign capitals on a “peace initiative” during which he intended to use he renown to convince other presidents and prime ministers to negotiate a peace to end the Cold War.
Pierre overestimated his heft, too. His initiative was met with yawns and shrugs in most places.
Coupled with the prorogation of Parliament until March 24, which Trudeau also announced on Monday, his decision to hang on until the Liberal party can name his successor simply prolongs the indecision and inaction that has marked his government for the past few months.
At a time when our economy is already sputtering and our largest trading partner is threatening to impose huge tariffs on one-quarter of our economy, the Liberals are going to continue to hold Canada hostage with their internal bickering and selfish priorities.
It’s the height of political arrogance. But it is the norm for the Liberals who have always believed what’s good for the Liberal party is good for Canada.
For the next quarter or two, our government will be in limbo so the Liberals can concentrate on what matters to them – trying to pick a leader who gives them a glimmer of hope of holding on to power.
Your job? Your family’s ability to afford basics? Your health care? That’s all trivial. It’s all on hold until the Liberal Party takes care of its own business.
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