Justin Trudeau’s electoral triumph in Canada comes as a whiff of perfume in these times of hatred, racism and phobias, with even the highly educated people of countries we look at in awe, especially in the West, falling for these baser instincts. It was a surprise victory for Trudeau and his Liberal Party which won 184 seats from 36 in the 338-member Canadian House of Commons. It was also a victory for the politics of inclusion, diversity and everything that the word ‘liberal’ stands for; it was a well-deserved defeat for Prime Minister Stephen Harper and his Conservatives. Harper and his party were so divisive, belligerent and spiteful that many believe the epithet “nasty party” is a fair description of Conservatives.
Canadians deserve praise for fiercely protecting the tradition and democratic values of their country by choosing Trudeau and rejecting Harper. Almost a decade of power had brought out the worst in Harper, and gave him a false sense of invincibility and entitlement. He indulged in the politics of fear and hate. He had especially targeted the country’s one million Muslims. His attempt to prevent Muslim women from wearing what he considers the ‘offensive’ face-covering niqab during citizenship ceremonies had triggered a controversy but was overturned by a court this year. He tried to appeal the court decision, but again lost. Canadians realised that they were going down the path of other European countries and the US where Islamophobia is in vogue, and through the ballot, taught Harper the lesson that he was plain wrong.
During the campaign, Trudeau lambasted Harper for trying to undermine Canada’s cherished values. “Diversity is at the very heart of Canada. It is who we are and what we do,” he declared. The Liberal leader saw Canada as a mosaic. It’s a country known for spreading the red carpet to migrants, and where millions of people from all over the world, from diverse cultures, religions and languages live in rare harmony and work sincerely for their own future and the future of a country that has welcomed them with open arms by giving them citizenships.
If Harper had won, Canada’s fate would have been different. There would have been more noises of hate and division, and that would inevitably tarnish Canada’s positive image in the world.
Trudeau is treading the path of his father Pierre Trudeau, who was Canada’s most intellectual and flamboyant politician, who is known for modernising several laws and was responsible for some of the country’s landmark legislation, including its Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
Americans rarely learn any lesson from their neighbor north of the border. Perhaps it’s time change that. US Republican presidential hopefuls Donald Trump and Ben Carson, known for spewing venom against Muslims, can imbibe some lessons in modesty and moderation from Trudeau.
Justin Trudeau’s electoral triumph in Canada comes as a whiff of perfume in these times of hatred, racism and phobias, with even the highly educated people of countries we look at in awe, especially in the West, falling for these baser instincts. It was a surprise victory for Trudeau and his Liberal Party which won 184 seats from 36 in the 338-member Canadian House of Commons. It was also a victory for the politics of inclusion, diversity and everything that the word ‘liberal’ stands for; it was a well-deserved defeat for Prime Minister Stephen Harper and his Conservatives. Harper and his party were so divisive, belligerent and spiteful that many believe the epithet “nasty party” is a fair description of Conservatives.
Canadians deserve praise for fiercely protecting the tradition and democratic values of their country by choosing Trudeau and rejecting Harper. Almost a decade of power had brought out the worst in Harper, and gave him a false sense of invincibility and entitlement. He indulged in the politics of fear and hate. He had especially targeted the country’s one million Muslims. His attempt to prevent Muslim women from wearing what he considers the ‘offensive’ face-covering niqab during citizenship ceremonies had triggered a controversy but was overturned by a court this year. He tried to appeal the court decision, but again lost. Canadians realised that they were going down the path of other European countries and the US where Islamophobia is in vogue, and through the ballot, taught Harper the lesson that he was plain wrong.
During the campaign, Trudeau lambasted Harper for trying to undermine Canada’s cherished values. “Diversity is at the very heart of Canada. It is who we are and what we do,” he declared. The Liberal leader saw Canada as a mosaic. It’s a country known for spreading the red carpet to migrants, and where millions of people from all over the world, from diverse cultures, religions and languages live in rare harmony and work sincerely for their own future and the future of a country that has welcomed them with open arms by giving them citizenships.
If Harper had won, Canada’s fate would have been different. There would have been more noises of hate and division, and that would inevitably tarnish Canada’s positive image in the world.
Trudeau is treading the path of his father Pierre Trudeau, who was Canada’s most intellectual and flamboyant politician, who is known for modernising several laws and was responsible for some of the country’s landmark legislation, including its Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
Americans rarely learn any lesson from their neighbor north of the border. Perhaps it’s time change that. US Republican presidential hopefuls Donald Trump and Ben Carson, known for spewing venom against Muslims, can imbibe some lessons in modesty and moderation from Trudeau.
