From refugees being left on the street to our declining standard of living, Canadians are being failed by a government that loses interest the moment attention recedes.
The two easiest things for a government to do are make an announcement and spend money.
Usually, those two things go together. This represents the photo-op stage of implementing any policy. Photo-ops are much-maligned, but they are essential to communicate the vision of a specific policy and to bring public attention to the issue.
However, the photo-op is supposed to just be the beginning. It must be followed up with the actual implementation of the policy, ongoing assessment to determine if the policy is effective, and – if necessary – adjustments to the policy. In short, implementing any policy requires effort, time, and vigilance.
But what happens when a federal government thinks policy-making begins and ends with the photo-op?
We get things like this:
“Footage reveals refugees sleeping on Richmond Street in Toronto as the city battles a growing homeless crisis”
Footage reveals refugees sleeping on Richmond Street in Toronto as the city battles a growing homeless crisis pic.twitter.com/hkNMNjF4aY
— 6ixBuzzTV (@6ixbuzztv) July 15, 2023
“This is a humanitarian issue in Canada. Put partisan politics aside and do something for African refugees in downtown Toronto. @JustinTrudeau & @SeanFraserMP it’s time to walk the talk – these refugees just want a shelter.”
This is a humanitarian issue in Canada. Put partisan politics aside and do something for African refugees in downtown Toronto. @JustinTrudeau & @SeanFraserMP it’s time to walk the talk – these refugees just want a shelter.#cdnpoli pic.twitter.com/j4eCWmY11F
— Salman Sima (@SalmanSima) July 16, 2023
As Norman Levine said on Twitter, this is a result of Justin Trudeau’s refusal to think beyond the photo-op stage:
“Welcome to Justin Trudeau’s Toronto. This is what happens when you invite refugees to flood your country but do nothing to house, clothe or feed them and make no attempt to provide shelter. Great photo ops for Justin, though.”
Welcome to Justin Trudeau’s Toronto. This is what happens when you invite refugees to flood your country but do nothing to house, clothe or feed them and make no attempt to provide shelter. Great photo ops for Justin, though. https://t.co/z4saNmvo2g
— Norman Levine (@NormanLevine100) July 17, 2023
Now, there is certainly a debate to be had over how many people Canada can help, with many of our services already clearly strained and close to the breaking point. With that being said, once people are already here it is essential for them to be taken care of in terms of their basic needs. To offer refuge and then let people languish on the streets is disgraceful. We should also be ensuring homeless Canadians are taken care of, though that is more of a provincial/municipal responsibility rather than federal.
“He leaves refugees on the streets once the photo op is over”
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre called Trudeau’s rhetoric on immigration “self-aggrandizing,” citing the wide gap between what Trudeau claims to believe and how the government acts:
“Trudeau’s self-aggrandizing rhetoric about immigration is all an act.
He leaves refugees on the streets once the photo op is over.
That’s who he is.”
Trudeau’s self-aggrandizing rhetoric about immigration is all an act.
He leaves refugees on the streets once the photo op is over.
That’s who he is. pic.twitter.com/6bIAjmxSG6
— Pierre Poilievre (@PierrePoilievre) July 17, 2023
There is an interesting parallel here to how Justin Trudeau treated Jody Wilson-Raybould. He claimed to value ‘strong Indigenous Women,’ yet it turned out he only wanted to use Wilson-Raybould to bolster his own image. It was all about what he could get from it, rather than any broader principle. The moment Wilson-Raybould demonstrated that she was actually strong and wouldn’t be bullied into manipulating the justice system in favour of Trudeau’s buddies, she was cast out.
Likewise, the moment the cameras were off and Trudeau couldn’t benefit from being seen as a virtuous humanitarian, refugees were left without help.
Words over actions?
A growing problem in the political space is that many people now prioritize the ‘right words’ over the right actions. People will follow someone who presents a nice image and says what people are ‘supposed to say,’ and then fail to follow up and see if that image and those words have translated into any tangible action.
Justin Trudeau takes great advantage of this, presenting himself in a way that doesn’t really match what the Liberal government does. He has taken this trend to the extreme.
Amid rising crime, a declining standard of living, and refugees suffering on the streets, we can see that consequences of Trudeau’s ‘photo-op governance’.
The government has become stunningly superficial and devoid of substance, and Canadians are being let down day after day.
Spencer Fernando
