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We all know this is a government of style over substance. We've seen Trudeau's narcissism and desperate need to be liked all the way from when he was in college and doing stupid things to get people to look at him, including his wild array of costumes he never grew out of. We can see his policies designed for visual appeal rather than substance. Bill Morneau, however, gives us a glimpse of life on the inside. And how dismayed he found to discover that even as Finance Minister, he just wasn't important enough for Trudeau to pay any attention to. Morneau rarely got to speak to Trudeau except when the latter was surrounded by advisors. And Trudeau just wasn't interested in policy. A few descriptions from his book say as much. The PMO cared about the news cycle and politics, not about actual governing. By his own telling, his personal interaction with Mr. Trudeau was virtually non-existent. The two men rarely met. When they did, the PM was usually surrounded by advisers, precluding the opportunity for frank, one-on-one exchanges. The portrait of his time in government that Mr. Morneau paints in his new book, Where To From Here, serves as a cautionary tale for future leaders on how not to alienate the best members of their teams and a disillusioning insider account about how the Trudeau government works. A Bay Street veteran with solid business credentials, Mr. Morneau’s talents were largely wasted in a government that obsesses about winning the news cycle and cares little about fiscal matters. “My job providing counsel and direction where fiscal matters were concerned had deteriorated into serving as something between a figurehead and a rubber stamp,” he writes. “There was only revision of my recommendations, ever upward, toward funding levels the PMO believed would play well the next time Canada went to the polls.” When it comes to the massive splurge of spending around the pandemic, Morneau is clear that it wasn't what he had wanted. "We lost the agenda. During the period when the largest government expenditures as a portion of GDP were made in the shortest time since the advent of World War II, calculations and recommendations from the Ministry of Finance were basically disregarded in favour of winning a popularity contest," he writes. "In a moment where I saw us taking decisions that were more significant than I thought we needed, it was frankly, extremely frustrating," Morneau said in the interview. "I think in that moment, you know, it started to sow the seeds of a challenge. That we just weren't going to be able to recover." So the next time Liberals try to tell you all that spending was necessary, remember what they mean is 'necessary to help our election chances'. Further on his inability to discuss things with Trudeau one on one he says that isn't just about him. Trudeau never discussed anything with his cabinet one on one. Morneau mentions this when he talks of his resignation. He writes it was one of the "very few" times the two had discussed something in private without any other advisers or sources of counsel in the room which "simply didn't happen" in Trudeau's world. "Virtually any topic you wanted to discuss with the prime minister—official or informal, strategy or gossip—had to be shared in the presence of members of his staff," he writes. That says to me Trudeau doesn't believe he has the capability to deal with issues on his own, that he needs staff around him to provide the council on all the subjects he lacks knowledge of and to reign in his impulse to respond through is own judgement. This says nothing good about Trudeau as a leader. And that is one of the other things Morneau mentions, Trudeau's inability to develop interpersonal relationships with his cabinet ministers. He might be the smiley, charming guy for the press but in government he apparently keeps his distance. Which is odd. Harper was famously an introvert but he did establish a number of close relationships with cabinet ministers. Maybe Harper didn't have to fear every conversation would be in waters over his head the way Trudeau does. https://www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/article-bill-morneaus-talents-were-wasted-in-justin-trudeaus-ottawa/ https://www.ctvnews.ca/politics/morneau-says-pm-favoured-political-points-over-policy-felt-like-rubber-stamp-ahead-of-inevitable-resignation-1.6221671

Uhm. No to all of that. The restrictions and mandates ended due to improvements in hospital visits brought about by vaccines. The Truckers overstayed their welcome and pissed off the great majority of the country - including me. Their demands ranged from unreasonable to lunatic. No, I fear he's a political whore like Trudeau who will offer up whatever policies to whatever groups he thinks will or might vote for him. His immigration policy is a prime example of that. Offering to remove English language requirements to immigrate is about as low as it gets when it comes to pandering.

Oh... How bothersome... People actually asking you to prove the stupid s__t you say.... How irritating for you, huh boy.

1. Yes, trolling - Implying that I'm a racist because I called anti-Woke legislation a big nothing. 2. Don't let the possibility of discussing a topic with an actual human get in the way of your need to blame, scapegoat, scaremonger and - especially - assign meaningless labels to people in support of the prior mentioned activities. 3. I don't self-identify as anything but conservative and Christian. 4. Riiight... I forgot to add: attributing people to obscure ideologies in service of a paranoid conspiracy theory about Marxism. 5. Free speech like the GOVERNOR of Florida deciding that certain ideas need to be banned ? Ok. Got it. 6. You really don't belong on a discussion forum. I would never accuse you of being a pedophile. Really - if you think that of your forum companions why do you think it's ok to discuss things with us ?

You have a singularly shallow grasp on things. The purpose of a political party is for people who share an ideology and vision to combine in order to govern and pass legislation to further their vision of a nation or people. You should actually want to accomplish things, in other words, as opposed to being elected to be elected. In your view above the actual purpose is merely to put on a play, a performance for the cameras to convince people to elect you. And afterward your responsibilities end. That certainly melds with this 'style over substance' government and it's drama teacher leader. Unlike you, however, I don't believe this is something to be applauded. Well, to begin with Harper had advisors but didn't seem to need his hand held during every conversation. He had competent ministers who were capable of zipping up their trousers without supervision from the PMO. That suggests his limitations were rather less limited than the current PM, and he understood how delegation works. In addition, Morneau was one of those much more capable people and by his own testimony he was given precious little attention from Trudeau or the short pants crowd at the PMO. Or do you think Gerald Butts was more capable than Morneau of running the financial affairs of the country? Oh wait, actually running the financial affairs properly for the benefit of the country isn't what you believe a political party should be doing, correct? Using the money and finances of the country to further your own political interests is the real job. This is such a bald confession of what you believe the Liberal party stands for and how it functions it's a wonder you're not embarrassed to write it and proclaim yourself a supporter.

I don't know the history of utility bills on my house, as I just moved in this summer, but the carbon tax thing on my September bill was $1.50 and in December it was $21.50. On the neighbourhood Facebook page, people are talking about the increases. Everyone is showing at least a 40% increase in cost. One posted pics of his bill for first week in Jan 2022 and first week in Jan 2023. He used 6% LESS natural gas than the same time last year (perhaps it's been warmer this year than last year, I don't know) and it cost 63% MORE money. I don't believe any of this money flooding out of our wallets and into government coffers is doing one thing to combat climate change. Not one bit.

Allow me to elucidate-

Uh huh...that's why you've posted nearly 4000 times in less than a year, almost all on the same topic...because WE are forcing our delusions on YOU!

https://www.breitbart.com/2nd-amendment/2023/01/16/police-armed-mother-pulls-gun-prevent-sons-kidnapping/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&fbclid=IwAR3S5upNrn7opiw-T8OJCS_N0N9HMKIKRqQiYtKDq18DfJoC_cLgQFwt0b4 Police: Armed Mother Pulls Gun to Prevent Son’s Kidnapping FOX 17 reported that two people were hovering around the entrance to the apartment complex, and manager Shay Lindberg went out to ask them if there was a problem. Lindberg’s son was by her side, and one of the two people allegedly grabbed him in an alleged kidnapping attempt. Lindberg drew her gun, and the suspect released the boy. Des Moines Police Department Sergeant Paul Parizek said, “It certainly looks like the big turning point here, the pivotal piece to keeping her child safe was the fact that she was lawfully-armed with a handgun, and she produced it and told them ‘let go of my kid.’” FOX News noted that Lindberg called the complex’s security guard, Will Hunter of Per Mar Security Services, after she had saved her son, and Hunter recognized the suspects from the description. Hunter called police and identified the suspects as Michael Ernest Ross and Laura Lynn Potter. Ross and Potter were subsequently arrested and charged with felony child stealing. A CONSTITUTIONALLY PROTECTED FIREARM prevented a kidnapping. It would have been better if that mother had just SHOT those animals, but they're in jail where they belong.

Perhaps, but on most of them he'll turn out on the right side of history. He and his type take it too far, and sometimes to the point of absurdity, but those are the instances we should be complaining about, rather than railing generally about wokeness etc. You're free to disagree, but much (definitely not all) of what Trudeau has embraced culturally is coming regardless. Whether that's now or whether that's after Boomers age out is going to be the main question. Young folk have different priorities and don't care about these things nearly as much. Either way, these are fairly vague complaints, and I struggle to think of any that match up to promoting conspiracy theories that deliberately undermine public trust in vital institutions for the sake of a few angry votes.

To quote Monty Python. RUN AWAY, RUN AWAY.

Disagree. Trudeau gleefully jumped aboard the culture wars bandwagon and has been doing his level best to use them to his political advantage, often imposing policies he has to have been told are useless just to appeal to the progressive activist set and to infuriate the right. His government has put equity, diversity and inclusion at the top of every list of tasks handed to cabinet and gone out of its way to virtue signal and divide Canadians by placing merit on the back burner behind membership in favoured identity groups. He is not only dividing Canadians by race, gender and ethnicity but by geographical region. He is, imo, the most divisive PM in history, and is doing it deliberately, for no reason but crass politics. I'm not really even certain he gives a damn about the diversity, equity and anti-racism crap so much as has seized on it to grab votes from the NDP and attack the Tories. But it's dangerous and destructive to society, and he doesn't care.

The Liberals have emphasized that there are different qualities of humans. They think Indigenous are infants who need to be taken care of by the state and that they can’t handle fair treatment under the law. They apply the same logic to black people. I guess the thinking is that as long as people can be convinced that certain groups can’t earn their own money and think for themselves they can be controlled and manipulated to vote Liberal.

Teenage gangs in inner cities of America are a real problem. I blame fatherless homes. Glad the lady could save her son from being kidnapped though.

58% of the 57% who liked tomatoes said they would buy them again.

Ukraine stays independent and a stopper is put on Russian aggression.

I think I understand the importance of Section 1 of the Charter, and that you don't. We don't have a First Amendment because our Constitution wasn't written over 200 years ago. That doesn't mean we don't have freedom of speech. I'm not a fan of the Notwithstanding Clause in general, but this is something Alberta and Saskatchewan insisted on when the Constitution was drawn up, so complain to them if you must.

I get insulted because liberals do not like losing arguments to me, and THESE goose steppers are unusually stupid. Rather than try to debate the points I make, they lash out with TROLL and RACIST, and all other childish lies. Try reading something other than Mein Kampf. Try watching something other than THE VIEW. Educate yourself. Right now, you're pretty ignorant. And you don't like losing arguments. Grow up, snowflake.

Too bad you don't understand the DATA which shows Republicans dying at a greater rate than Democrats because they are too stupid to get vaxxed.

Soon they'll get daily vaxes showing up in the mail, like Harry's Razors, etc. They can jab themselves right before they get on the subway, walking through the grocery store, or even while they're driving with their masks on.

Great question for a leftist, but they never answer questions truthfully anyways so it's a waste of time. In my case that questions poses a false dichotomy because it's not an "either/or" question - I didn't fail to do my due diligence and I'm neither of those. That being said, in your instance I'm hoping that you're an 1d1ot, because it's sad to think that you're still a child while working as a CrakHo. Little bit of advice...? Your chosen profession qualifies you to run for office as a Democrat:

I agree that the Liberal platform on climate change is weak...as was the policies of governments going back to Prime Minister Mulroney. Mr. Poilievre has been very quiet on solutions. He is very good at telling us what makes us upset but I have yet to hear him say what he plans to do about it. I want to have an alternative to the current government. I am a member of the CPC. But so far, I haven't seen anything from the CPC that makes me want to vote for them.

First, he doesn't even have a platform yet. Second, whatever intelligent things he might say are drowned in his other nonsense. When you start talking crazy, nobody listens to you anymore.

I think I will too. This is some of most buffoonish and garbage posting I've seen on this forum in awhile. It's a waste of time even reading the angry derangement of people like this.

One of the main ideologies of the federal Liberals (and NDP) is that government can do things best. Since Trudeau was elected in 2015, he has increased the size of the federal civil service by about 25% or increased it by about 75,000 employees. We now have a very large federal civil service. It also seems like the voters do not really have any say in it. The federal system is really out of control. Perhaps this is one of the key reasons why the health care system is in a crisis. It is run by bureaucracy. Five major problems with bureaucracy are outlined in this article. The first point is: quote 1. Rigidity Stampedes Creativity: The whole bureaucratic system is formed around rigid rules and regulations. This excessive form of rigid structures stampedes creativity and restricts growth. In all types of officialdom there is always adamant, inflexible and unaccommodating. Furthermore, bureaucracy requires everything to follow a given system, which diminishes any chances of creativity and out-of-the-box solutions. With the modern-world changing fast and evolving in light of new challenges, this rigidity of bureaucracy is a big problem for any organization or government. unquote Five Problems With Bureaucracy | WallStreetWindow.com

1. I have never said I support racism. So accusing me of that is trolling, and personal insults which are not allowed on the forum. 2. You can't make an argument without first having a little side chat to explain the custom made label you have for me. Don't you see why that makes you a poor fit for a forum ? You absolutely NEED to explain your little tag in order to make your argument work. 3. I suppose you will miss me until you can find another person you can accuse of being a pedophile. Why are you here again ? 4. And you are a Mr. Dressupian... see how that comes across ? Just silliness.

1. I don't think 'Equalization' is about making everyone equal. Maybe you misunderstand it. Also - the next most equal country to us is Switzerland. Also more equal than us are France, Germany and the Scandanavian countries. So, I don't think you're right. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_income_equality

Cool (and worthless) testimonial. My biggest client fled Ukraine as a Soviet political dissident. That's an equally worthless testimonial. Whether true or not, the reality is that the bulk of Ukraine very much doesn't want to be part of Russia, else they'd not be fighting and they'd be surrendering their tanks and equipment to Russia, rather than the other way around. ?

He's not still popular. It's more the opposite. His die-hards still support him, but most of the folks who gave him the benefit of the doubt no longer do so. Look up his approval ratings. He'll succeed or fail in the next election based on how much PP leans on his angry base. If Poilievre can bridge the gap and start acting like an adult with real ideas, I'll vote for him, and so will most moderate conservatives. If he continues on the current course, he'll hand Trudeau the next election by virtue of being even less popular than him.

I asked if Hardner AGREED that some races should be treated differently than others, that some races are inferior to others? He claimed the Florida Stop Woke Act was ridiculous. Well the Stop Woke act PROHIBITS treating one race differently from the other. Rather than be honest and answer, he called me a troll. (Definitely educated in a blue state.)

?.. Here's another "conspiracy theory" that's actually true. The mrna vaccine can and does change your genetic code.

Is there a single thing thing in your list of grievances that should lead to the break up of the country or that can be fixed by breaking up the country?

Lol! You fail to appreciate that criticizing a lame critic is just that, a criticism of lame criticism. Your argument is essentially the same, they're lying because I said they are, trust me. No, you have to prove it.

Then why do we rank so high on the various freedom indices? The Heritage Foundation, an American rightwing think tank has Canada at #15 in the world on its Economic Freedom Index. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Index_of_Economic_Freedom The UK based “Democracy Index” has us ranked #12 in the world. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Democracy_Index I could go on…. Is this actually about not liking Trudeau?

Mind boggling. I'm calling it on that one - Time of brain death: about 2 years ago. Repeated attempts to resuscitate were unsuccessful.

Well that's where we differ. Do you agree then that if a man says to a woman, "Let me rape you or else I'm going to stab you" then it is her "choice" to be raped and the man should not be charged because she "willingly" chose to be raped? That's what you're saying.

Are you suggesting that Morneau was the master mind behind the WE scandal, or was he the fall guy that Justin had chosen... I mean Justin has a history of doing just that, picking fall guys when it benefits him, SNC scandal ring a bell. And like you said the primary rule is to get reelected, there is no honor in resigning it goes against the prime objective to get reelected until pension is obtained. Getting along with the boss is not a guarantee in any profession.

Higher angels like...continuing to tax folks to death and stomping on our abundant natural resources? @Mr. Polievre...Sir...stay the course! For Canada's sake.

Troll politics seems to be on the way out. The post-troll politicians are more pragmatic. Doug Ford, Ron DeSantis can take the "tough guy" image out and rework it into a more broadly appealing leader type persona. No insulting, no arrogant strutting about being able to shoot somebody on 5th Avenue, and no hanging out with Nazis.

I'm starting to think NYC is just terminally STUPID. After all, those retards elected THIS to the House, twice.

My God you are a robot

So, you’d like to call black people niggers without any social repercussions …. that’s what I’m hearing.

You actually found an insult that you won’t use? Well, aren’t you just the most reasonable fellow?

So what? The vast majority is just that. If a million people had died in Canada, the vast majority would have still been fine, which is the moral math you're trying to peddle. Says the hysterical man-baby who's spend the last 2-3 years crying it out and having tantrums, starting new threads about the same subject every few days, and calling people fascists, communists, pieces of shit or whatever else his big-boy brain came up with when his emotions got the better of him and he couldn't articulate his thoughts like an adult.

I do not know. I've gotten the vaccine and been boosted four times and I'm still alive.. I guess by your logic that must mean it's safe... And btw Lisa was an opioid addict... Yet I didn't hear one mention of that from the conspiracy theorists.

Well? Did she get the vaxx or not?

Disagree. I think the issue with the law is free speech implications at post secondary level. But I also think some of those people are racist. It's odd to me that part of the left is so racist. Some people believe it's OK to be racist and sexist if it's against whites and men. This is odd. It's also odd to be made to feel bad for speaking out against that.

What a big nothing. DeSantis is a disgrace, and the US has declined into a giant freedom LARP.

So...what exactly is your argument here? Overall job numbers don't matter because you can trawl the news feeds looking for examples of companies that laid people off? As for companies doing tons of hiring in 2022, look at Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, General Dynamics, Chase, Deloitte and more. It's pretty goofy to be pointing at individual company layoffs as signs of the apocalypse when the economy is adding more than they're losing, by wide margins. Fake news though, right? Government-friendly statistics.... ?

Me too.