Justin Trudeau on the Ropes: Governing in Troubled Times (6)

by Paul Wells

The worst decade in the history of the Liberal Party of Canada came to an end on October 19, 2015.

Justin Trudeau swept to power, ending the ten-year rule of Stephen Harper’s Conservatives. Trudeau’s vision was relentlessly the word "positive" was heard eight times in his victory speech, along with references to "sunny ways" and "hope and hard work." But the fates decreed that he would govern in darker times. His rookie government, itself mainly staffed by rookies in federal politics, had to learn on the job in an age of polarization, misinformation, and pandemic, while dealing with the rise of Trump and Brexit, a newly belligerent China, and wars in Ukraine and the Middle East. The moment needed more than a young PM's abundant charm. And almost from the outset, Trudeau struggled to rise to the occasion.

A decade after he published The Longer I’m Prime Minister, the definitive portrait of Stephen Harper in power, Paul Wells, one of Canada’s all-time great political writers, turns his attention to Justin Trudeau, a man of talent, ambition, and trust issues in a time of mistrust.

Genres: Politics, Nonfiction, Canada, History, Government, Biography

100 pages, Paperback

Published May 7, 2024

Reviews

[Mat C · Rating 4 out of 5]

Successful in what it’s trying to do. This is an 80 page essay. The first 3/4 recaps the Trudeau government from 2015 to present day. I found it clear, fair, and unbiased.

I didn’t learn anything new in the first 3/4, but in a world where so many people get their news and opinions from Facebook and Twitter there is value in having a respected journalist recount the facts.

Canada is under served when it comes to political books. It’s a shame because that gap often gets filled with extremist self published books that become bestsellers. The ones with Trudeau looking menacing on the cover with red eyes. If you search Justin Trudeau right now on Amazon.ca the first results are not books, but a bobblehead with a pen holder in his butt, toilet paper with his face on them, and F*** Trudeau stickers. No wonder our political discourse has become so toxic. Instead of facts and books people are expressing themselves with vulgar symbols. On that note, Wells does a decent job trying to clearly explain why polarization has exploded in the last few years.

I bumped up the rating because the last 1/4 was interesting. Wells talks a little bit about what Trudeau is like behind the scenes. He talks about the tension governments have in focusing their energy on delivering on old promises vs announcing new promises. Wells gives credit to the Trudeau government on promises they did meet or tried to meet, but argues they spend too much time announcing new things without a clear plan for delivery.

The short discussion of “Deliverology” and its supporters and detractors in government and the public service was interesting. I agree with him that progress often happens through iterative improvements, trying new ideas and programs to see what worked and taking out the bits that didn’t work. In other words, experimenting and learning lessons. The issue with that approach is that it’s often seen as bad politics and harder to message. As a project manager I’m nerdy about delivery stuff and would like an entire book about politicians and public servants working together on delivery.

[Ted · Rating 4 out of 5]

An overview of Justin Trudeau's political career from around 2008 until 2023, by one of Canada's best known political journalists, Paul Wells. I found this an engaging and objectively written work. Without bias, Wells explores Trudeau's three terms as Prime Minister, detailing his strengths and accomplishments as well as his weaknesses and numerous failures. The author's stance is fairly neutral throughout, leaving it up to the reader to draw his or her own conclusions. With a federal election coming sometime in the next year or so, voters in Canada could benefit from reading this book and reflecting on all that has happened in the last decade.

[Mark Mullally · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting essay outlining events behind the scenes that led to Trudeau becoming leader and how he has remained so for a decade. Wells (who has written books about Harper) does not sugar coat Trudeau's leadership, exposing many of his flaws openly, while also giving him credit for his willingness to make an effort with certain legislation, even when not popular. Fairly balanced synopsis overall.

[Kaitlin Ames · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although I am not usually someone who reads a lot on politics, I actually enjoyed reading this short editorial-like essay. I have a better grasp on what happened in these past eight years and probably more questions than I did before I started. There is also a Podcast interview that Peter Mansbridge did with the author Wells about this book which I would recommend. A thought provoking read.

[Sean Robinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very informative and holds the bias. A succinct summary of Trudeau's terms and what it all entails. Good to read something that is informative and entertaining at the same time.

[Ty Bradley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some bits of interesting analysis but mostly just a summary of what happened in the last nine years. We know what happened; we just lived through it!

[Bryson Boddy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very well written. The author doesn’t attempt to hide his bias, but he does openly disclose it, which I appreciated. Given what’s in the news, this is a speedy 90 pager on what Justin’s done in the last decade as PM. Reads like an opinion news article.

[Tom Glover · Rating 4 out of 5]

Heard of Sutherland Quarterly books? Me neither. If this Paul Wells offering is a faithful representation, they're worth digging into.

Generally, Canadians are extremely angry at Justin Trudeau. Why? He's a politician and in most ways they're a fairly homogeneous population. Trudeau struck a chord. He was young, elegant, energetic, athletic ... and more. He caught Canadian's imagination, and led his 3rd place party to power. He didn't stop there ... he caught the world's attention immediately with his progressive cabinet of newb's. He quickly enacted legislation focused on his three main election promises. I mean ... we were in love. And perhaps that's where he's different. We were optimistic ... we thought we'd picked someone who would get things done for us. And it really stung when he turned out to not be perfect, when he backtracked on voting reform, when he seemingly became two faced giving SNC Lavelin their "get out of jail free" card and burning one of his most feisty women MP's in the process, when he made announcement after announcement that never amounted to much. So now, in 2025, we're going to get even.

Paul Wells' book gives an accounting of Trudeau's victories and failures, his strengths and his weaknesses. It's undeniably a great time for this work to be coming out, and it's helped me to back away and take a fresh look at just what Trudeau's done, and at what he has to offer as he claims he'll run a fourth time.

Have a read ... then a think ... you may still reflexively vote against Trudeau rather than for anyone else ... but minimally you'll feel better doing it.

[Frank · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's a summary of the Justin Trudeau years. It is a presentation of the facts with fair judgements of those years. It is a fast read with some insights into Trudeau's character. I was shocked to read the author calling JT an introvert. As an introvert myself, I felt insulted.

According to the author, JT likes to be the underdog because if he loses any battle, it doesn't matter because he was expected to lose. But if he wins as an underdog, then he gets greater glory. This may be the reason why he insists on staying on as the party leader, despite several MPs in his caucus have publicly stated that JT should step down and despite his party nosediving in the polls. The problem with that attitude is that if he loses the next election badly, and the polls indicate that will happen, he will also take the party down with him. I truly believe, and this opinion is shared by minds greater than mine, like that of Jordan Peterson, JT's narcissism is so great, that he doesn't care about his party.

[Danielle Chenevert · Rating 4 out of 5]

Paul Wells's book, "Trudeau on the Ropes," offers an engaging analysis. While the initial sections serve as a refresher on Trudeau's early days, the later parts provide intriguing insights into the government's trajectory under his leadership. Wells, a discerning observer, adeptly navigates through the complexities. Although the essay could have benefited from further refinement given Wells's exceptional writing skills, I found it to be a valuable read in helping me decipher how it all went wrong.

[Jessica Hallam · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s so easy to forget what a government has promised and done during their tenure. This is a solid overview of the LPC’s recapture of power with Trudeau at the helm. Wells provides good insight into what drives Trudeau at a time when so many of us are wondering why he clings to power.

[Simon Vacca · Rating 2 out of 5]

A bit disappointed. I had been meaning to read this book for a while, as I found the author's appearances on a few of my go-to podcasts to be pretty interesting.

I just... didn't get a lot from this one.

[Sue LC · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good factual account of Trudeau’s governing since 2015. Every Canadian should read this

[Pat Bradley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting and informative while being an easy short read to pad my Goodreads challenge. I learned a lot that I actually didn’t know. I thought it was a bit short on the good sides of Trudeau’s tenure, while really pouncing on some of the shortcomings. But overall a strong overview of the last 9 years.

[Sam Dinicol · Rating 4 out of 5]

Always clever, often witty, and occasionally downright cheeky, Paul Wells is one of my favourite Canadian political observers and writers working today. His essay on Justin Trudeau’s rise to—and exercise of—power is Wells at the top of his game. This is period of recent history I’ve had a front row view of: working in Ottawa and then two provincial governments. I may not always agree with his conclusions, but I always want to hear them.

[Mike Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

I finished this book about Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau a week and a half ago, but I'm reviewing it on one of the most interesting days in recent Canadian political history. Trudeau's Minister of Finance announced her resignation from Cabinet today because she disagreed with the Prime Minister on economic and financial issues. And she was supposed to deliver a "fall economic statement" today, a major government budget document. The Prime Minister had to scramble to appoint a new Finance Minister and table the statement. So...

This book by journalist/columnist Paul Wells is a very short survey of Trudeau's time as Liberal leader and Prime Minister. It uses a celebrity boxing match that Trudeau won, against most people's expectations, as a metaphor for how Trudeau likes being underestimated. The book is in four parts. Part One deals with Trudeau's rise to the party leadership and his win, against very long odds, to become Prime Minister in 2015.

Part Two covers his first term. Wells gives Trudeau credit for some major legislative accomplishments early on, but Trudeau quickly ran into problems. Some were due to Trudeau's belief in his own superiority, some were due to changing world circumstances, including the rise of Donald Trump and Xi Jinping, the growing effects of climate change, and increasing conflicts in the world that led to refugees and economic uncertainty. In addition, Wells makes the point that Trudeau's government was inexperienced, partly because Liberals had been out of power for a decade. When they finally won, most of their Members of Parliament were novices. He also faced scandals of his own making, such as a history of dressing in blackface for costume parties.

Part Three covers Trudeau's next two terms, both minority governments, his continuing challenges (including the COVID-19 pandemic), and his changing leadership style. There were a few good moves, and more scandals and embarrassing moments, but voters felt Trudeau was better than the alternatives.

Part Four is a summary and recap. Wells opines on Trudeau's qualities as a political leader and as a Prime Minister. If there's a pattern, it's that Trudeau promises big things that sound good, but most of the time fails to deliver. There were some early successes, but such accomplishments have become rarer as the government ages. Ultimately, because doing anything else was hard, Trudeau "has focused on the thing a federal government find easiest and does best: send cheques."

This is a quick, high-level overview of Trudeau's time in office. It hits the major details as I remember them and puts them into a plausible context for Trudeau's motivations, strengths, and weaknesses. My takeaway is that Trudeau is more competent than most Canadians think he is, but he's not as competent as he thinks he is. And that's a problem in uncertain times.

[Gwen Harris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Paul Wells got it right - it's a mess. It wasn't all the making of Justin Trudeau and the Federal Government: previous administrations contributed to the neglect of government bodies, responsibilities, and social welfare. But Trudeau, on day one, promised so much with his message of "sunny days" and delivered so little. And, as we see through Well's display of events and consequences, several mistakes or missteps led to misgivings and mistrust. Speaking personally, I began to have my doubts when Jody Wilson Rayboult and Jane Philpott, brilliant women who got things done, were forced out of caucus in 2019. Whatever I thought about the SNC I also thought the differences of views could have been handled better by Trudeau and the PMO. Wells gives a detailed account of those manoeuvres. And so much more - the case against builds - and to my eye, the once esteemed Civil Service was also floundering. Wells shows that decline also.

Trudeau may espouse justice and equity, but does he deliver? Wells grants that the Liberals have made some inroads on safe water for Indigenous communities - more than previous governments - and received very little credit. However, in other spheres, there were many announcements, not so much execution.

One paragraph (87) - I know I'm pretty deep into the weeds here. I've written an essay that begins when Just Trudeau was popular and ends while he's unpopular. I don't want to give the impression that I think it's because Canadians are furious at the end of STIC [Science, Technology and Innovation Council] or the stillborn National Infrastructure Assessment. But if you multiply these examples across dozens of cases in other fields, it starts to look like a syndrome. Trudeau has built a government that can't stop announcing bright new days, even though it seems increasingly unable to deliver."

Perhaps not surprisingly, Wells finds that Trudeau lacks the leadership skills or political acumen to reach a consensus.

This title is in a series from Sutherland entitled >Governing in Troubled Times. Indeed, these times are troubling - and at present, there is no leader on the Canadian scene capable of cleaning up some of this mess, let alone, not adding to the current festering pile.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Paul Wells perfectly encapsulates the allure of Justin Trudeau, his rise in the Liberal Party and subsequent election as Prime Minister in 2015, and what has kept him in power until now in this extended essay. Trudeau’s magnetism and rise to power is no accident — he possesses some of the most necessary traits for any politician seeking to hold the highest of offices, but they are, ultimately, what have also contributed to the Liberal Party’s dramatically declining public support numbers in recent months. Justin Trudeau on the Ropes reports a government and Party Leader with the intention of carrying out plans and policies, but ultimately failing to implement them on several crucial fronts.

Wells on Trudeau’s allure: “He’s been making a good first impression for as long as he’s been alive. He’s athletic and charming. His last name has helped more often than not. Skeptics often find he’s more impressive in person than they expected. So he’s built his political career on first impressions.”

[Paul Laughlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Behind Close Doors!!!!

Good looks,fancy socks and promises of an open ,transparent government.

Rookie cabinet ministers told that their portfolio is there's to run.

Weird post pandemic concepts at the WEF all accepted by Trudeau for a "global reset"

Real management turns to control and no dissent (see where the ministers chief of staff get there)

Big almost weekly promises of good programs ( 90% never got if the ground)

" The other side doesn't cause people to lose faith in your project "

He is a wizard at squeezing out the most votes and may do it again to stay in power

BUT

The NDP keep him in power, not a liberal majority

The good easy times are over. Back to his "rope a dope"

[Rennie · Rating 5 out of 5]

94 and a half pages that tell a sad story of why we are where we are and holds out virtually no hope that the Liberals, with Mr. Trudeau in the chair, are capable of improvement on any file. I found it particularly disturbing that reports or charts that tell a less than positive story about the performance of this government can be removed from view. Transparency is even worse than I had thought.

It is interesting that Mr. Morneau's book also called out Mr. Trudeau's unwillingness to actually listen to others or even try to truly collaborate with ministers and premiers to try to develop policies that work for the entire country.

The Liberals need a new leader and a capable team to turn things around and I wish them every success as Canada needs an effective government now more than ever.

[Tom Axworthy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Paul Wells is one of the most insightful reporters on Canadian politics, especially the fish bowl of Parliament Hill.This book is really a long essay on the personality and record of Justin Trudeau with limited history on the Liberal party and no attention whatsoever on Pierre Poilievre. Wells believes that Trudeau's self- confidence is an asset since he is often underrated ( not by himself) but his largest weakness is his attention span to implementation, piling on promise after promise rather than delivering needed changes.Over- promising and under delivering will lead to Justin Trudeau's political demise he argues , not an off the wall prediction as the Liberal party is 20 points behind the Conservatives with only a year to the next election.

[Grant · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sharp longform essay/booklet that briskly summarizes and analyzes this last decade of Liberal power. Wells’ closing bars are incisive and I heartily agree: many of this government’s enemies are of its own creation, and the deeply concerning populist right wing backlash wouldn’t have been possible without this government’s ineptitude and gaslighting.

I did find Wells not disingenuous, but arguably incorrect in his analysis of the COVID-19 era, based on his own political leanings. While I readily acknowledge the divisive approach the Liberals took on some measures, Wells is too charitable to the convoy that clogged the nation’s capital and our increasingly, willfully MAGA Tory politicians who opened Pandora’s Box and decided “sure, why not”.

[Derrick Grose · Rating 4 out of 5]

Paul Wells reviews the strengths and weaknesses of Justin Trudeau as a Prime Minister and finds that the latter far exceed the former. Although he warns that Justin Trudeau has made an art of coming back from the perception that he is the underdog, Wells suggests that it seems unlikely this time. The analysis stating that the governing party has become satisfied with replacing accomplishments announcements rings true. This list of failures and mis-judgements is a quick read and a frightening one (my comment, not Wells') considering the obvious alternative to Trudeau's Liberals as a future government.

[Leif · Rating 2 out of 5]

Can we please stop turning blog posts into books? They're not good.

When Wells left journalism, Macleans (and Ottawa, particularly) suffered. So did the quality of his writing, which has lost its edge and wafts where it was once directed.

I would love to read his weekly columns supported by the full armature of a quality venture behind him. In contrast, these thoughts on the breeze, they vanish.

Still, I bought the book. Keen to support him, after all. It's a "read in an hour" kind of affair.

[Donald Leitch · Rating 4 out of 5]

Paul Wells is one of the best, most insightful political writers in Canada. In this long essay, Justin Trudeau on the Ropes, Wells provides insight into Trudeau’s personality and political skills. This mix of characteristics brought Trudeau to power in 2015. These same characteristics have eroded support for him during his tenure as PM and are now undermining his chances for re-election. A short but worthwhile read for anyone wishing to understand Justin Trudeau much better.

[Matt Cote · Rating 5 out of 5]

An interesting and I think clear-eyed analysis of le Dauphin's time in power. I learned some things (Had no idea that the PMO insisted on choosing the chief of staff of the entire cabinet, for example). It makes no predictions, but points out that people expecting Trudeau to fail is where historically, he has done best. Time will tell, but an interesting read.

[Wayne Woodman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Paul does a good job of highlighting the political career of Trudeau and certainly pulls no punches either way in the history. I think that Trudeau followers will come up with lots of platitudes for the mistakes and outright lies that persist while detractors will say I told you so. I don't think this will influence voters or change minds in any perceptible way.

[T · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thoughtful, readable, but a little too clever at times (Wells can't help himself sometimes). Doesn't distract from the pace of the book, however, which contains intriguing behind-the-scenes stuff.

Not sold on some of his policy analyses, but he's the most capable political journalist in Canada — how can you not read his takes if you're interested in Canadian politics?

[Jordyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the few books on Canadian politics I would recommend to someone. Easily digestible, unbiased, coherent and explains the political sphere in a way those unfamiliar with it will understand.

Wells is likely one of the best Canadian political commentators of the era.

[Stewart · Rating 5 out of 5]

Paul Wells remains one of the best political commentators in Ottawa today. While the book is unavoidably critical about style and perceived gaps in results, the insights and analysis are nonetheless valuable.