Over the last year and a half, the nation has grown tired of Justin Trudeau. And for many Canadians, the Prime Minister’s announcement he was leaving was met with measurable relief. Indeed, a huge political fatigue had set in, and with it, a terrible slump in the polls for the Liberal Party and a bonanza for the Opposition Conservative Party. This is not a complete surprise, because as incumbent governments approach a decade in office, many voters itch for a change. We have seen this before, and we will see it again. It’s part of the ebb and flow of a democracy.

Justin Trudeau won three consecutive government mandates, which is a significant accomplishment in and of itself. He came to the Prime Minister’s office with much promise. He was idealistic, young, energetic, and promised to do politics ‘differently.’ In his victory speech, he turned to Laurier’s ‘sunny ways’ for inspiration. During his time in office, he also ushered in meaningful policies dealing with climate change, child poverty, Indigenous reconciliation, the renewal of NAFTA, and childcare, to name a few. However, by the time he announced his departure last Monday, much of the party, caucus, and country were frustrated and angry with him.

There will be plenty of time to assess and debate his legacy. But today, in the immediate aftermath of his decision to step away, the more pertinent questions are; why did he wait so long to decide his fate, in the face of strong political head winds? Why was his exit so badly managed, especially following the bizarre firing of his former Finance Minister, right before she was to deliver an economic update in the House of Commons? Where does this leave the country now? And what lessons can we learn from this unnecessary political drama?

A few thoughts.

First, in politics, ‘timing is everything.’ Before jumping into the political arena, one must studiously contemplate and evaluate all the relevant factors and circumstances, in order to ensure that your decision is well received and strikes with maximum success. A misguided and poorly thought-out plan can end your campaign before it even begins. The same holds true for when one is thinking of hanging up the gloves. Above all, leave on your own timetable, while you are at the top of your game.

Trudeau clearly failed........

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