I have been an immigrant for over 20 years and am now a Canadian citizen. I am unaffiliated with any political party or organization. Here, I would like to share my personal thoughts as an ordinary Chinese-Canadian on Trudeau’s Liberal government’s ten years in power.
In 2015, I cast my vote in the federal election for Trudeau’s Liberal Party, filled with hope for a brighter future. His youthful energy and promise to make Canada a better place were inspiring.
However, it didn’t take long after the Liberal government took office to feel the stark contrast between their lofty slogans and the realities of governance. During Trudeau’s administration, controversial policies in economic development, public welfare, ethics, social safety, and the immigration system led to a rapid decline in the country. While various media outlets now provide different evaluations of these ten years, I will share my personal perspective:
1. Economic Decline
Canada’s GDP per capita in 2015 was on par with the U.S., but by 2024, it’s only half of the U.S. Meanwhile, the deficit grew from a nearly balanced budget in 2015 to $61.9 billion in 2024, with total debt reaching $1.6 trillion. Trudeau’s famous remark, “The budget will balance itself,” has become a joke.
I believe the reasons for this decline include:
- 1.1 Mismanagement of Resources: Trudeau’s Liberals, along with their later cooperation with the NDP, focused on redistributing wealth rather than creating it. Excessive spending, misguided green energy investments, and wasteful subsidies drained taxpayer funds while failing to invest adequately in economic growth.
- 1.2 Tax Increases: To address the fiscal shortfall, the government relied on heavy taxation, which stifled capital investment, burdened the middle class, and led to a brain drain and rising unemployment.
- 1.3 Neglect of Energy Resources: Canada has abundant oil and gas resources, yet the government’s environmental policies restricted energy development, squandering a valuable advantage.
2. Skyrocketing Prices
Unrestrained spending during the pandemic caused inflation to surge. Although inflation was officially reduced to 2% by 2024 through interest rate hikes, the actual cost of living, especially food prices, continued to climb. By 2024, 2 million Canadians relied on food banks.
3. Housing Crisis
Despite Trudeau’s promise in 2015 to make homeownership affordable, housing prices have skyrocketed over the past decade. Many young people can no longer afford down payments, further exacerbated by high taxes and hefty development fees.
4. Drug Epidemic
Trudeau’s government legalized cannabis shortly after taking office, allowing households to grow up to four marijuana plants. This policy, claimed to curb illegal trade and prevent youth access, has proven ineffective. Cannabis sales in 2024 were over 1,000 times higher than in 2018, raising concerns among parents, especially in the Chinese community.
The legalization of drug injection sites has further worsened the situation. In 2024, over 200,000 government-funded injection kits were distributed. Trudeau framed this as “saving lives,” yet drug-related deaths quadrupled compared to 2015.
5. Rising Crime Rates
Canada was once a safe, peaceful country with low crime rates. Now, home invasions, car thefts, and violent crimes are rampant. In my community, there are monthly reports of home break-ins. Some police officers even advise residents to leave car keys near the door for thieves—a ridiculous situation. Trudeau’s 2019 bail reform (Bill C-75) eased restrictions on offenders, leading to repeat offenses and societal harm.
6. Immigration Chaos
Post-pandemic, the government accepted large numbers of temporary workers, students, and refugees, along with illegal immigrants. This influx has strained housing, healthcare, and employment systems. The immigration system is now in disarray, with certain groups disproportionately dominating the influx.
7. Carbon Tax Burden
Canada contributes minimally to global emissions, yet Trudeau’s government implemented aggressive carbon taxes starting in 2019, claiming they would benefit Canadians. However, these taxes have caused significant increases in food and living costs. Trudeau’s assertion that “carbon tax rebates benefit people” overlooks the widespread economic hardship caused by rising prices.
8. Extreme Leftist Policies
Trudeau’s administration pushed radical leftist policies, particularly in areas of sexual orientation and gender identity. Controversial initiatives, such as allowing minors to undergo gender-transition surgeries without parental consent, have deeply worried many parents, especially within the Chinese community.
9. Diplomatic Failures
Despite lavish spending abroad, Trudeau’s government failed to earn respect on the global stage. Relations with major countries deteriorated, and even neighboring U.S. leaders expressed disdain for him.
10. Scandals
Trudeau faced numerous ethics investigations during his tenure, from the SNC-Lavalin affair to his involvement with the WE Charity. These incidents tarnished his reputation and undermined public trust.
After a decade of Trudeau’s governance, Canada feels as though it has endured a calamity, sliding from prosperity toward third-world conditions. Morality is eroding, hardworking taxpayers face mounting hardships, and resources are disproportionately allocated to refugees, the homeless, and non-contributors.
Finally, Trudeau’s resignation has brought a sense of relief to many. Yet, the damage inflicted over the past ten years is profound, and the scars may take generations to heal.