Will Justin Trudeau step down? Who will emerge as the front-runner to lead the Quebec Liberals? What about the CAQ’s “autonomy commission”?
Politics, like TV shows that go on hiatus for the summer, often leave cliffhangers or unanswered questions for us to ponder until the action picks up again in the fall.
With our legislatures not in session for a few months, elected officials embark on the “barbecue circuit” where the stress level is noticeably diminished as they attend riding and community events without having to face political adversaries or answer daily questions from journalists. Though they may still get an earful from constituents, they tend to be more polite and friendly. The same issues and questions are out there, but the din seems less intense — a time that allows for more sober reflection about what’s in store as elections creep closer.
The closest political cliffhanger to “Who shot J.R.?” is whether Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will step down this fall to clear a path for a successor, or if he will persevere. This past week, his Liberals were rocked by a byelection loss in their longtime stronghold of Toronto—St. Paul’s to the Conservatives. Trudeau, rightly or wrongly, is being personified as the root of all problems in this country, and changing that perception before the 2025 election would require a historic turnaround.
Legault’s personal popularity has plummeted over the past year, but like Trudeau, his caucus remains supportive. However, if constituents are heard griping on the barbecue circuit, it could start nourishing food for thought about his future.