Trudeau is ignoring his party's biggest problem

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau sought to reframe public opinion about his unpopular government Monday by pointing out Canada has the strongest economic performance of the G7, reminding Canadians he has provided well-liked initiatives and expressing a willingness to reverse course on issues of concern such as immigration.

- ALTHIA RAJ

As the Liberals' - window of = opportunity to - find a new - leader to replace Prime Minister Justin Trudeau shrinks, Althia Raj writes, they - should ask themselves if the party should rebuild - now, or after the next election, likely with fewer = MPs?

But Trudeau had little to say when asked about the biggest issue facing his party: his unpopular leadership.

Trudeau isn’t the only one ignoring the problem.

When asked if Liberals were thinking about leadership change following U.S. President Joe Biden’s decision to step aside as the Democrats’ presidential nominee in favour of Vice-President Kamala Harris and how that has invigorated donors, party members and voters, Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland’s response was swift.

“Absolutely not,” she told reporters in Halifax covering the Liberals’ cabinet retreat.

“All of us here have … confidence in him as our party’s leader, as the guy who is going to lead us into the next election.”

But some introspection is needed. Yes, Trudeau isn’t Biden. He’s 52 years old, and — unlike the 81-year-old Biden — there are no questions about his mental acuity to govern. Yet after nine years in office, many, many voters have tired of him. Some polls suggest he is dragging down the Liberal brand, even though several of his government’s initiatives — such as dental care and child care — are popular and voters wish them to continue.