Don Martin: Trudeau government finally performs well in a freedom protest
It’s a bit like a flea attacking a pit bull, but the Trudeau government deserves a thumbs-up for trying to inflict a painful Canadian bite on Russia for its unprovoked invasion of Ukraine.
This was a government which, until this crisis came along, was lost in botched affairs on every foreign file.
It was led by a prime minister who seemed incapacitated by hostage-taking China and still vacillates on allowing Huawei technology into 5G networks.
It’s a prime minister who infuriated India with excessive dress-ups and his meddling in a farmers’ protest.
And after being repeatedly ignored or ruled-against by the Biden administration, Justin Trudeau has become former U.S. president Donald Trump’s favorite punching bag for his bungled handling of the Freedom Convoy although, in my view, being called a “far-left lunatic” by an all-round lunatic is a badge of honour.
Now along comes Putin’s Folly -- and suddenly all isn’t completely hopeless for a third-term Liberal government which recently seemed in need of leadership change.
A government which took weeks to clear the street in front of its Parliament buildings is doing everything right in trying to stop a bully sending in tank convoys to force a Soviet Union reincarnation.
It’s almost as if adult supervision or someone with a spine has taken hold of a government which often seemed stymied by difficult (and sometimes easy) decision-making.
The government stars are finally starting to shine. And unfortunately for Trudeau, he’s not among them. Rather, they’re standing right beside him.
There comes a moment where you study an Opposition leader or a cabinet minister and you just know they’re ready to become prime minister one day.
In Trudeau’s case, while he was delivering his usual breathless dramatizations of the situation at Monday’s news conference, the heir apparents framed him on the television screen.
To his right, deputy prime minister Chrystia Freeland, fidgeting with a thick stack of documents. To his left, looking calm and cool, Defence Minister Anita Anand.
Either one looks ready to step into Trudeau’s shoes and deliver far superior leadership.
The bonus is that both are women in a country that still needs to make the progressive step forward by electing a woman as prime minister.
Both are whip-smart, delivering scandal-free service so far in the portfolios they’ve been assigned.
And, as their Ukrainian-invasion-handling has shown, both have risen to this character-testing crisis by orchestrating a furious political retaliation for Russia’s inexcusable invasion.
Freeland, in particular, has been readying for this showdown most of her adult life.
Fluent in Ukrainian and a published author on Russia’s post-communism transition and the rise of its oligarchs, she was such a journalistic pest while living in Moscow that the KGB tapped her phones and ultimately denied her re-entry to the former Soviet Union.
She delivered extremely poignant remarks Monday, invoking Martin Luther King, Gettysburg and the Battle of Britain as analogous to this as an historic democratic showdown against the bloodthirsty tyrant who has turned Russia into a pariah.
If that sounds like hyperbole, well perhaps, but there’s no doubting Canada is turning its words into every avenue of possible action against Putin.
It’s frankly difficult to see what more Canada could do short of putting actual soldier boots on Ukrainian soil, but that likely means we’re marching into World War 3 and Russian nukes are warming up in their silos.
Consider the retaliation list, which saw Canada leading the global charge to shut down international transactions technology to freeze Russian banks out of global markets.
Lethal weapons, including anti-tank systems, are on their way; Canadian sanctions against Putin and his billionaire buddies have been imposed; a blockade against most exports to Russia announced; matching donations for humanitarian charities offered; a crude oil import ban imposed (although we don’t currently import any); a demand to take all Russian television off Canada’s airwaves delivered (which Bell and Rogers have already done); and fast-tracked immigration for Ukrainian refugees offered.
It’s a unified reflection of Russian revulsion; a diplomatic shunning unlike anything experienced in recent memory. How we still have an ambassador in Moscow is beyond me.
But this crisis has also uncovered Liberal leaders-in-waiting for the prime minister's job, at least until the Conservatives figure out how their next leader can reclaim the government-in-waiting position.
Thanks to the best and brightest in Trudeau’s cabinet, the tiny Canadian flea is preparing to deliver a bite greater than its size.
While sadly unlikely to happen, the world can only hope enough bites will drive a fleabag like Putin from irritation to capitulation.
That’s the bottom line...
IN DEPTH
Budget 2024 prioritizes housing while taxing highest earners, deficit projected at $39.8B
In an effort to level the playing field for young people, in the 2024 federal budget, the government is targeting Canada's highest earners with new taxes in order to help offset billions in new spending to enhance the country's housing supply and social supports.
'One of the greatest': Former prime minister Brian Mulroney commemorated at state funeral
Prominent Canadians, political leaders, and family members remembered former prime minister and Progressive Conservative titan Brian Mulroney as an ambitious and compassionate nation-builder at his state funeral on Saturday.
'Democracy requires constant vigilance' Trudeau testifies at inquiry into foreign election interference in Canada
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau testified Wednesday before the national public inquiry into foreign interference in Canada's electoral processes, following a day of testimony from top cabinet ministers about allegations of meddling in the 2019 and 2021 federal elections. Recap all the prime minister had to say.
As Poilievre sides with Smith on trans restrictions, former Conservative candidate says he's 'playing with fire'
Siding with Alberta Premier Danielle Smith on her proposed restrictions on transgender youth, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre confirmed Wednesday that he is against trans and non-binary minors using puberty blockers.
Supports for passengers, farmers, artists: 7 bills from MPs and Senators to watch in 2024
When parliamentarians return to Ottawa in a few weeks to kick off the 2024 sitting, there are a few bills from MPs and senators that will be worth keeping an eye on, from a 'gutted' proposal to offer a carbon tax break to farmers, to an initiative aimed at improving Canada's DNA data bank.
Opinion
opinion Don Martin: Gusher of Liberal spending won't put out the fire in this dumpster
A Hail Mary rehash of the greatest hits from the Trudeau government’s three-week travelling pony-show, the 2024 federal budget takes aim at reversing the party’s popularity plunge in the under-40 set, writes political columnist Don Martin. But will it work before the next election?
opinion Don Martin: The doctor Trudeau dumped has a prescription for better health care
Political columnist Don Martin sat down with former federal health minister Jane Philpott, who's on a crusade to help fix Canada's broken health care system, and who declined to take any shots at the prime minister who dumped her from caucus.
opinion Don Martin: Trudeau's seeking shelter from the housing storm he helped create
While Justin Trudeau's recent housing announcements are generally drawing praise from experts, political columnist Don Martin argues there shouldn’t be any standing ovations for a prime minister who helped caused the problem in the first place.
opinion Don Martin: Poilievre has the field to himself as he races across the country to big crowds
It came to pass on Thursday evening that the confidentially predictable failure of the Official Opposition non-confidence motion went down with 204 Liberal, BQ and NDP nays to 116 Conservative yeas. But forcing Canada into a federal election campaign was never the point.
opinion Don Martin: How a beer break may have doomed the carbon tax hike
When the Liberal government chopped a planned beer excise tax hike to two per cent from 4.5 per cent and froze future increases until after the next election, says political columnist Don Martin, it almost guaranteed a similar carbon tax move in the offing.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Potential tornado 'surreal' for residents who witnessed damaging storm in southern Ontario
Witnessing a potential tornado was 'surreal' for residents who caught a glimpse of the damaging storm in southern Ontario on Wednesday night.
Was this the bug that stung you? Wasp sightings revive murder-hornet concerns; no detections confirmed
As temperatures rise out of a mild El Nino winter, Canada's buggy season is already upon us again, and this year, the bugs are looking especially big.
Minister tables bill to extend citizenship rights to children born abroad
Immigration Minister Marc Miller tabled legislation today that is intended to extend citizenship to some children born outside of the country.
WestJet planning new fare category for travellers willing to forgo carry-on bag
WestJet Airlines plans to launch a new cheaper fare category that would be available to travellers willing to fly without a carry-on bag.
Hundreds have applied for this 'adventurer' job in Banff National Park
Coined as Banff's 'ultimate summer job,' the Moraine Lake Bus Company says hundreds of people from across the world have applied for its adventurer position.
'We'll need all hands on deck': Details emerge after deadly boat crash near Kingston, Ont.
Police say they have wrapped up their on-scene investigation into a deadly boat crash in eastern Ontario as details of the incident begin to emerge.
Jennifer Lopez's response to question about Ben Affleck is a reminder of their decades of love in the spotlight
Plenty of people are wondering if Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck are having problems in their marriage, but one person had the nerve to ask in a public forum.
U.S. Justice Department says illegal monopoly by Ticketmaster and Live Nation drives up prices for fans
The U.S. Justice Department filed a sweeping antitrust lawsuit against Ticketmaster and parent company Live Nation Entertainment on Thursday, accusing them of running an illegal monopoly over live events in America -- squelching competition and driving up prices for fans.
Adding just 10% ultraprocessed foods to healthy diets may raise risk of cognitive decline, stroke
Eating more ultraprocessed foods is linked to a higher risk of cognitive decline and stroke, even if a person is trying to adhere to a Mediterranean diet, the DASH diet or the MIND diet, a new study found.
Local Spotlight
'Best experience ever': B.C. baker on making it to the finals of Netflix's 'Is it Cake?'
When Jujhar Mann said he wanted to be a pastry chef on a grade school career project, he didn't imagine that pursuing his dream would land him on a popular Netflix baking competition.
Winnipeg flair on the menu at neighbourhood Houston restaurant
A city known for its history, ties to outer space and southern barbecue, is also home to a Winnipeg chef dishing out dozens of perogies.
Montreal photographer captures dramatic Canada goose vs. fox fight on video
A Montreal photographer captured the moment a Canada goose defended itself from a fox at the Botanical Garden.
Beyond books: Halifax libraries lends instruments, sports equipment, memory kits and more
Public libraries in Atlantic Canada are now lending a broader range of items.
'A special bird': The unbreakable bond between purple martins and humans
Flashes of purple darting across the sky mixed with the serenading sound of songs will be noticed more with spring in full force in Manitoba.
7-year-old Pokémon prodigy heading to Hawaii for world championship tournament
Catching 'em all with impressive speed, a 7-year-old boy from Windsor, Ont. who only started his competitive Pokémon journey seven months ago has already levelled up to compete at a world championship level.
VIDEO Born without front legs, this dog has been inspiring the world for 3 years: Dresden farm owner
A sanctuary dedicated to animals with disabilities is celebrating the third birthday of one of its most popular residents.
From DVDs to rehearsals: Halifax theatre company transforms Video Difference building into arts hub
2b Theatre recently moved into the old Video Difference building, seeking to transform it into an artistic hub, meeting space, and temporary housing unit for visiting performers in Halifax.
'Another pair of eyes watching over me:' How a B.C. woman's service dog saved her from drowning
A B.C. woman says her service dog pulled her from a lake moments before she had a seizure, saving her life.