It shall soon be time to mark the first anniversary of the Liberal win in the 2015 Canadian election. Perhaps it is a time to reflect on the changes Justin Trudeau has made in Canada in that short time...
There is no doubt at all that Justin Trudeau has extended the normal "honeymoon" period of any new government. He is popular on a world stage and has drawn new and very positive attention to our country in stark contrast to the antipathy shown to many world leaders.
It may be recalled that the day after his victory, he showed up to shake hands in a Toronto subway station. The Halloween outing with his children garnered international attention for the sheer novelty of a national leader doing normal things. The exchange with U.S. President Barack Obama and the warm greeting given him in Washington - and elsewhere - has given Canada an image decidedly different than the sombre face of Stephen Harper. Recently, Trudeau and his family appeared at a park in eastern Canada to the surprise of other visitors; on the west coast, he showed up silently at a wedding in progress.
For those of us who remember the Trudeaumania of the '60s, this is a return to those days of excitement (albeit in Canadian low-key ways) and changes.
It will be recalled that in his first weeks in office and beyond, many of the decisions made by the prior administration were set aside. Small things perhaps, but matters of great import to those affected. In B.C., the Insight Clinic in Vancouver's East End could now look to the future; also in Vancouver, the Coast Guard station returned to English Bay.
On a larger scale, our role against the Islamic State was changed from bombing to training more in keeping with Canada's peacekeeping image of long standing.
Relations with First Nations became more meaningful as he appointed Jody Wilson-Raybould as Minister of Justice and a Cabinet that reflected the diversity of our society. Funds have been allotted to infrastructure improvements as the rule of austerity has been terminated to the joy of many economists. The stance taken towards refugees from war-torn Syria (and Trudeau's personal welcoming of the first arrivals) was the opposite of that taken by our southern cousins and more in keeping with Canadian values.
Most important, decisions are made with a system of public consultation, the "centrist" and "top down" regime of Harper being replaced with a more relaxed - and distinctively Canadian - tone of government.
This is not to say there have not been problems. The rising cost of the F-35 fighter continues to haunt.
Our economy suffered a blow from the worldwide drop in the price of oil and natural gas and the fires of Fort McMurray that depressed the Alberta economy. Many have been angered at the response of Trudeau's government as unemployment darkens the streets of Edmonton, Calgary, as well as towns in northwestern B.C. Adding to this, his stance against further pipeline development while applauded by environmentalists is damned by those who see jobs and futures thrown away to satisfy urban tree-huggers. The issue of the Senate remains, a Gordian knot for any Canadian administration to be sure.
While "Elbowgate" was given much media attention, most saw the "scandal" as a minor affair of little - if any - consequence.
Personally, I sense an undercurrent of positive change with growing hope for more.
In this very uncertain world where terrorists push democratic countries towards repression and nothing seems stable, Canada stands apart as a bulwark of rationality and harmony.
Always amongst the top five as "the best countries to live" or those countries "most liked" in the world, our form of multiculturalism puts shame to xenophobic nations where patriotism seems to trump humanity; our cities rank highly on lists of "the most livable."
I like being in a country where saying "I'm sorry" is regarded as a national trait. Even the Conservatives, after flirting with attempts at false umbrage, seem to be headed towards a role of constructive criticism instead of obstructionism. All in all, I find myself content.
Justin Trudeau may not bring us to a new Camelot, but does appear to be taking us to Avonlea.
-- Willow C. Arune
