Is Trudeau’s slipping popularity main reason for rift with India? 60% Canadians want him to be removed

Canada’s Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, has been facing dwindling popularity according to a poll conducted by Global News. This drastic change in his popularity is believed to be linked to him stirring up a front against India, which might possibly serve as a diversion from his falling favorability at home. Remarkably, more than half of the Canadian population thinks Trudeau should vacate the Prime Minister’s position for a new leadership. 

“To understand the big picture, one needs to discern the various political chess moves”

The popularity of any elected leader is often reflective of the satisfaction level of the citizens. Here’s a quick rundown of Trudeau’s political journey to provide a sense of where things started to go south: 

1. Justin Trudeau’s tenure kicked off on a high note with his signature charm, charisma, and progressive ideologies.
2. However, The young leader started facing criticism due to controversial decisions and multiple ethics violation allegations.
3. Trudeau’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic initially saw a surge in his approval numbers, but the shine soon seemed to wear off as the Canadian economy struggled, resulting in widespread dissatisfaction.
4. Discontent among his constituents grew, culminating in a whopping 60% wanting him to step aside.

Trudeau’s International Politics Blunders

As you may know, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s international policies, particularly regarding India, have come under the scanner. He has received criticism for supporting the farmer protests in India, a move largely seen as interference in India’s internal affairs. The Indo-Canadian ties have since been strained, leading us to consider whether Trudeau’s declining popularity at home is a crucial factor in this political dispute.

Trudeau’s Declining Popularity 

The Global News poll revealed that Trudeau’s main adversary, Pierre Poilievre, also the conservative leader, appears to be the darling of more Canadians. If an election were to be conducted today, it’s highly likely that the conservatives, under the reign of Poilievre, would form the next majority government. The poll results suggest that 40% of Canadians view Poilievre as the best pick for the Prime Minister’s seat, while Trudeau could only muster the support of 31% of the populace. Furthermore, the poll highlighted that 60% of Canadians hope Trudeau steps down and allows someone new to lead the liberals in the upcoming 2025 election. 

Candidate Preferences in Percentage 

• Pierre Poilievre: 40%
• Justin Trudeau: 31%
• Jagmeet Singh: 22%

“When you take a look at why Canadians are feeling the way they are right now, there’s real dissatisfaction with the direction of the country. Particularly, when it concerns the big issues that are on their personal agendas,” – Ispos CEO Darrell Bricker

Canada v/s India: A Distraction from Domestic Woes? 

As per Indian government sources, Trudeau’s declining approval and following row with India seems more than just a coincidence. Trudeau had accused India of being involved in the assassination of a Khalistani separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada, an allegation that India has vehemently debunked in the absence of any substantial evidence. High inflation and increased cost of living are some pressing domestic issues Trudeau is currently grappling with, which might be triggering the tendency to turn the public focus towards international issues. Also, the Indo-Canadian community is a large group of voters, and gaining their support could help him in elections.

Please, also have a look into : Trudeau declined to stay in the presidential suite during India’s G20 Summit