MENZIES: The Trudeau and don’t of the international politics game

Image credit: Chris Young/Canadian Press. 

Maybe you were like me on Wednesday–casual political follower who likes to keep up to speed on our country, and heck, even international affairs from time to time–split between rooting for and against Canada in the bid for the UN Security Council seat.

In usual times, we called him Prime Minister of Canada, but now it’s something like philosopher-king of the Canadian cottage.

Justin Trudeau may have to take one of his daily throne speeches off after our country lost out to Norway and Ireland in the security council seat election.

And what a blow to the international rep to our political Ryan Gosling.

It appears that the peace-and-love-for-the-world veneer of Trudeau was just not up to snuff to be entrusted for the role, or so thinks the international community.

The glitz and glam, icing, and puffery of the Trudeau image worldwide is down, low like oil prices.

His stock was never higher than when he first was elected in 2015, as the hopes of liberals globally were pinned to this chest–but half of that was because they couldn’t look away from his chest.

He may as well have had a centerfold cutout in The Economist explaining his views:

“I enjoy ordering-in noodles and watching rom-coms on a Friday night. Open borders are the way to go. I love the theatre and art. I love all cultures. Occasionally I’ll have a toke if I’m feeling naughty…”

His performances are well-known on the world stage: like Cats but the movie version.

India knows him as Mr. Dressup (because if you don’t change your attire three times a day that would be offensive) and friend of a Khalistani terrorist.

Australia remembers him as the “flaky” smiling leader who pulls out of trade deals at the last minute and embarrasses Japan, but wants feedback on his cool socks.

And Lord only knows what The Apprentice thinks south of the border.

With all that in our rearview, it’s a shock that Canada even received 108 votes (Norway and Ireland each received roughly 20 more) since one can only guess African nations were none-too-pleased about Blackface-in-chief.

This is a big-time embarrassment for the crafty politician Trudeau, who was able to win an election in Canada last fall with many of these blunders fresh in some of our minds, especially because he vociferously criticized Stephen Harper’s failure in 2010 to win a seat.

It was a long time coming for some, but five years later when faced with the choice, international leadership didn’t see enough there there with Trudeau.

“More matter, with less art,” says the Queen in Hamlet–and perhaps Queen Elizabeth too along with several heads of state.

Really, what does this mean for Canada?

Likely, nothing.

The Security Council is supposed to guarantee peace and security around the globe, but often does nothing because the mainstays (U.S., China, U.K., Russia, France) veto decisions they disagree with.

Canada will not get another crack at the council until the 2030s. Something tells me life will go on.

Unless…and this could be a perverse situation for Canadians…if Trudeau isn’t spending his time currying international favour, what would he do with more of a focus on our country?

He might have to actually make forceful decisions about uncomfortable issues, like rail line protests that stop movement, a 2020 budget, the future of long-term care homes, or worst of all: morning, afternoon, and evening addresses from the Cottage.