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Trudeaumania 2.0 – Hope and Optimism – Sunny Ways!
11-04-2015
On November 4th, 2015, Canadians across the country felt that a new era of hope, optimism, and inclusiveness which the 23rd, Rt. Honourable, Prime Minis Minister of Canada, Mr. Justin Trudeau had promised has in fact been realized. As all Canadians witnessed, the change was in the air. As Mr. Trudeau, on a bright sunny day, sworn in as the 23rd Prime Minster of Canada, and as he unveiled his thirty-one-member cabinet, it became evident that voices across the nation form all different religion and ethnicities were given a clear voice. It became evident to all Canadians the newly elected government would be anything but, unlike his predecessor, a one-man show.
The last election demonstrated to the entire world that racism, personal prejudices, xenophobia, or Islamophobia will neither be accepted nor tolerated in Canada. As Canadians across the nation rejected the divisive politics of the Harper government and welcomed in a new era of inclusive government. A government which would bring in hope and optimism.
Mr. Trudeau had promised Hope and Optimism and he delivered it on November 4th, which was reflected in the cabinet he chose. Many firsts were achieved. It is the most ethnically diverse cabinet, first in Canadian history. For the first time in Canadian history fifty percent of the cabinet members are women. First time in Canadian history, Aboriginal Canadians were given key ministry. First time in Canadian history, the largest ethnic minority in Canada – South Asians – were given four key ministries. Finally, first time in Canadian history a Muslim Canadian was appointed to the cabinet. All these firsts will be Mr. Trudeau’s legacy.
After the pomp and pageantry of the swearing in ceremony at the Rideau Hall, the real task begins. Mr. Trudeau has four years to make Canadians realize that his message of hope, optimism, and inclusiveness were not merely an election slogan, rather he is a man of his word. He has a long hard task ahead of him. First by start delivering upon the promises he made during the campaign. However, the second task, is to undo the damage caused to Canada’s image, internationally, under Harper government, as well as damage caused to Canadians, especially the Canadian Muslims, right here in Canada.
So far from his actions and words, it is becoming evident that Mr. Trudeau realizes he, or his Liberal Party can no longer take Canadian Muslim Voters for granted. Unlike the past Liberal Prime Minsters may have done so. It is evident that he realizes that it took the Liberal Party almost a decade to regain the trust of Canadian Muslims, which over the past two elections had shifted towards NDP. A perfect example of it was seen when he spoke with Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Nathanyahu, outlining Canada’s position moving forward, as Ms. Kate Purchase, Mr. Trudeau spokesperson, stated Mr. Trudeau, "explained there would be a shift in tone but Canada would continue to be a friend of Israel's." In addition, Mr. Trudeau intends to re-establish relationship with Iran, which were severed by Harper Government on September 7, 2012, when Canada recalled its ambassador and diplomatic staff. However, what is needed is Canada to end its partisanship established under Mr. Harper, and reintroduce 1960’s historic Liberal Policy, then under Mr. Pearson-Trudeau era of “Honest Broker and a Peacemaker.” This is not only needed rather should be viewed as an absolute necessity to regain trust of the international community at the United Nations.
However, one area which Mr. Trudeau’s government need to really focus in on is the immigration from the Muslim countries. There is no doubt in anyone’s mind that there are systematic obstacles placed in embassies across the Muslim nations to slow down and curb Muslim migration to Canada. Especially when we compare it with migration to Canada from other non Muslim nations. This was intensified under Harper government. However, Canadian Muslims also learn from NDP opposition over time that these obstacles were put in place by previous Liberal governments, and Harper government took advantage of it and further exploited upon past Liberal’s policies and agendas on immigration from Muslim nations. We see an immediate change, the new title for Rt. Hon. John McCallum is Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Minister. We hope that Mr. McCallum would find ways to end the disparity in services across the embassies in Muslim nations, providing fair and even opportunities for everyone who wishes to become a contributing member of the Canadian society.
At domestic level we do feel that Mr. Trudeau’s government has a tremendous task on hand, that is, to eradicate the seeds of racism, and xenophobia sown in by the Harper government, especially, in regards to rising Islamophobia. The lawyer, Mr. Lorne Waldman, who represented, Ms. Zunera Ishaq, the woman at the center of Niqab controversy published an article on October 30th, in the Globe and Mail, titled Canada Must Confront Anti Muslim Sentiments. Precisely, that is one important task all Canadians expect from the current government to take up immediately and address it. We expect task force to find out the causes and how to eradicate islamophobia taking roots within the Canadian society. The government must be willing to apply all resources to tackle this serious issue.
Without a doubt, the international community is finally beginning to view the choice of the Canadian voters as a step in a right direction to reclaim its lost honour and dignity. Muslim nations across the globe has welcomed the change of government in Canada as a positive move in right direction.
Overall, after a very long time, and for some Canadians, for the first time experiencing and expressing joy, hope, optimism and brighter future for Canada. All of it is yet to be seen. However, as all Canadians have high expectations, they also have high level of optimism and trust in Mr. Trudeau’s government and his ability to navigate his cabinet to deliver the results in a timely fashion. Failure is not an option for them.
We wish Mr. Trudeau on his landslide victory, and wish him, his cabinet, and his entire team of Parliamentarians all the best.
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