Canada’s federal election is happening on October 21st. Canadian politics have some similarities with American politics, in that all kinds of wacky shenanigans happen in the last month of campaigning. In America, we call them “October surprises.” Do they call them September Surprises in Canada? Because here’s a big one: incumbent prime minister Justin Trudeau is running for re-election, and Time Magazine just got their hands on Trudeau wearing “brownface” for an Arabian Nights-themed party back in the day. Here’s the photo:
Exclusive: Justin Trudeau wore brownface at 2001 ‘Arabian Nights’ party while he taught at a private school, Canada's Liberal Party admits https://t.co/j3UobfYNIF
— TIME (@TIME) September 18, 2019
Is this as bad as it seems? Yes. The context is pretty awful too:
Justin Trudeau, Canada’s prime minister, wore brownface makeup to a party at the private school where he was teaching in the spring of 2001. TIME has obtained a photograph of the incident. The photograph has not been previously reported. The picture was taken at an “Arabian Nights”-themed gala. It shows Trudeau, then the 29-year-old son of the late former Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau, wearing a turban and robes with his face, neck and hands completely darkened. The photograph appears in the 2000-2001 yearbook of West Point Grey Academy, a private day school where Trudeau was a teacher.
Earlier this month, TIME obtained a copy of the yearbook, The View, with the photograph of Trudeau in brownface from Vancouver businessman Michael Adamson, who was part of the West Point Grey Academy community. Adamson was not at the party, which was attended by school faculty, administrators and parents of students. He said that he first saw the photograph in July and felt it should be made public.
Speaking to reporters Wednesday night, following TIME’s publication of the photo, Trudeau apologized: “I shouldn’t have done that. I should have known better and I didn’t. I’m really sorry.” When asked if he thought the photograph was racist, he said, “Yes it was. I didn’t consider it racist at the time, but now we know better.”
Trudeau said he wore blackface “makeup” in high school to sing “Day-O,” a Jamaican folk song famously performed by African-American singer and civil rights activist Harry Belafonte. “I deeply regret that I did that,” he said.
Trudeau is 47 years old, which would have made him about 29 when the photo was taken? And… I mean, it’s not like he was a kid! I’m trying to believe his excuses/apologies but I’m finding it difficult. It’s true that white folks weren’t having these “brown/blackfaces are unacceptable” conversations back in 2001. Those conversations really peaked in the past decade. That being said, 2001 was not 1951. We f–king knew better in 2001. Especially if you were already in your 20s!!
I’m not going to make this about Canadians either – where I am, in Virginia, our governor Ralph Northam wore blackface when he was a teenager (and he was outed with a high school yearbook too) and absolutely nothing has happened to Northam long-term (actually, he’s been trying to do good things for the African-American community since the scandal). I don’t really have a point because I don’t know anything about Canadian politics. From where I’m sitting, Trudeau can probably weather this if he continues to apologize, I guess. Also:
Exclusive. Sources have confirmed to me that this is THE picture of @JustinTrudeau in blackface from high school that he referenaced in his press conference. From the year book at Brebeuf college. #cdnpoli He is singing Day Oh apparently. pic.twitter.com/ivBPoxbXi8
— Evan Solomon (@EvanLSolomon) September 19, 2019
Photos courtesy of Avalon Red.
Canadian here. This is soooo sad and ughhhhhhhhh. Stunned.
Another Canadian here, and at this point I’m just like…ugh. Right now I have zero idea of which party to vote for, it’s more like I already know which party I’m NOT voting for.
I am very disappointed with Trudeau overall as a PM, and I voted Liberal back in 2014!
lol how do you not know? If you vote NDP or Green Party, it’s basically a throw away vote, the only real option if you want a decent country is to vote Liberal. But if you vote Conservative well….maybe you only care about yourself then
@Fiona Well no, I’m definitely not voting Conservative or PPC either, for that matter.
I just don’t like feeling like I’m “forced” to vote for one party, especially when the PM hasn’t exactly been as good as I’d hoped he’d be. And voting NDP isn’t necessarily ‘throwing it away’; they practically swept QC a few years ago. So rest easy, yes I will most likely vote Liberal again, though if I voted with my heart it would probably be Green.
I hate that we have to vote strategically, but I like my Liberal MP so I’ll vote for him again, which means, I guess Trudeau gets my support. In New Brunswick we are even more stuck in the two party system than in other provinces (though there is more variety in our Provincial elections and I can happily vote Green at that time, though I wish we had more of an NDP presence)
As for this…he’s apologized (a real apology, not one of those “I’m sorry you were offended apologies). and I believe him. The conversation has moved considerably since 2011, let alone 2001. This happened in a pre 9/11 world.
LadyMTL, 100% agree. Same, same, same. It’s like the choice goes from bad to worse. Two ignorant a-holes on the right, 2 selfie models on the left (seriously, the new hair photos of Singh make him look like Jason Momoa), and Liz May, who isn’t ever going to win. I’m at a total and utter loss.
100% same
The strategy of releasing these was not to get liberals to vote conservative. It’s to get them to vote green or NDP.
This was released to split the vote on the left over three parties which would prevent any single party from having more seats than the PCs, thereby squeaking in a minority government.
And by the looks of this comment section it’s going to work.
I think I’m going to have to hold my nose and vote lib. The NPD will tax us into oblivion and the Conservatives are determined to take us back to a time and place where women’s rights don’t exist and white supremacy rules.
@Fiona, it really depends on the riding you’re in. And if LadyMtl lives in Mtl (duh!) then all the ridings that don’t go to the Libs go for the NDP and used to be Bloc strongholds (like, the libs never win in the eastern part of the island). We don’t vote conservative here, haven’t since Mulroney (it was an issue during Harper because he wouldn’t fund anything on the island since we all hated him). I’m in Alex Boulerice riding and will vote NDP as I always do; voting like this doesn’t “take” a seat away from the Libs, but it gives more seats to the left.
I bet Justin regrets not going for an electoral reform now… That was dumb!
@Fiona, I don’t believe any vote is a throwaway vote. Only voting for likely winners feels like being a fair-weather friend. If I’m behind a party and a platform, I’ll vote for them, no matter their chances. Yes, I know the consequences. But personally I’d rather go down with integrity than compromise my principles. And I like to believe it sends a message to the likely winners that didn’t win that they need to fix themselves if they want my vote next time.
@Hollz – I’m from Alberta, a one-party province (sad face).
Unfortunately, I don’t believe Justin’s apology. He has shown himself to be tone- deaf and ignorant while wanting to be the white saviour for the country. He’s made too many missteps that reveal his entitlement and self-indulgence.
With all that said, the liberal party will still probably get my vote.
No one is perfect, the woketopia litmus test is moot… but w any liberal vote our rights are protected.
I’m not a fan of Trudeau and his harmful policies. But what am I supposed to do with this information? I’m struggling to be outraged at this tbh.
This isn’t recent. Apologise and move on.
P.s: the timing of the publishing is fishy.
Always an agenda where the media are concerned. But it’s time that snow white Liberals and Democrats started getting exposed for their hypocrisy in just the same way as Republicans/conservatives. Today I read news that a well-known gay democrat donator was arrested for luring young vulnerable black men to his home and drugging and killing them for kicks.
If I vote with my heart .. it is Green. But if I vote with my head it is 100% Liberal. The Conservatives, under Stephen Harper, where just too, too creepy. He never spoke to reporters. He had long-time, staunch Conservatives write books titled, “Party of One” and then leave the party. He was not, at all, democratic. We had about 89 lakes protected when he came into power, now there are 3 or 4. He fired scientists, denied cliimate change and now heads The International Democrat Union and travels the world telling the Right how to come to power. The Right uses Facebook to spread unethical and immoral news, Trump’s rise to power, Brexit … all of this is the far right and their highly unethical moves. Liberal is the only way to vote in Canada, in my opinion. But Justin get ready … cuz they are coming for you.
Another Canadian here. I’m in the same boat as pineapple.
This is the whole issue I’ve always had with Trudeau – we have such a cult of personality, and he was heralded as this perfect Prime Minister. But he’s the priveledged son of a politaician. The whole SNC Lavalin and brownfaced thing (and his non-fulfilment of promises to Indigenous ppl) shouldn’t be a complete shock. He is not perfect. I might still vote Liberal. I’ve always voted as I wanted (usually green or NDP), but for the first time I might vote Liberal just to avoid a Scheer government, which is terrifying. I really want the least-worse person to get in. I’m not hoping for perfect.
As a side note, the performative anger on Andrew Scheer’s part is sickening. He has done way more disgustingly racist things than Trudeau.
Totally agree. As bad as this is, and it’s pretty bad. I still feel that the Cons would destroy Canada. I just couldn’t fathom having Harper 2.0 in power. All damage they did last time must not be forgotten. Scheer is horrible.
I really like Jameet Singh but I feel like he doesn’t stand a chance. I’m mad, sad and disappointed in Trudeau but still feel he’s the better choice (over Scheer).
That whole SNC Lavalin affair was pretty shady though. I still side eye his explanations on that. So torn!
I’m with you too Pineapple!!
I think though we should remember that under this government , cannabis was legalized!! That is a huge feat and once the industry settles, will pull in a nice stream of income. I think that achievement is often overlooked…it may not have been a perfect rollout, but they managed to do it – on the one-year anniversary of Gord Downey’s death at that!! Bravo to them! And us!
I love knowing how many other Canadians are on here. Andrew Scheer is the MP for my area in Saskatchewan. I will do anything to avoid having him as PM of Canada. He comes across as pretty fake and also a bit creepy, he came door knocking during the last election. He has no respect for LGBTQ+ rights, women’s rights, and does not care about the early education of children which is my field of work and passion. I am not surprised at this info coming out after the videos of Scheer were recently released, but I am disgusted at all of them.
I think Trudeau was too old when doing this to use the excuse of “I didn’t know better”. I do wish that campaigns would focus on what was actually accomplished during the last 4 years as that would be much more effective than all the sh*t that is currently happening.
I totally agree with Pineapple and many other comments here. I would really like to vote for the Green party but know that this would help get the Conservatives elected…AND THAT CAN’T HAPPEN! As disappointed as I am in Justin Trudeau, I will be voting Liberal. I also do think that there are many qualified people in the Liberal party (Christia Freeland for one).
I am telling myself that I am voting for the party..not Justin.
Canadian here. I am voting Green. I’ve been fighting for green policies, cleaner air, reforestation and animal protection for many years. My heart breaks when I continue reading all of you with the “strategic” liberal votes. In reality, if all of you and others voted green, that would add enough power for a coalition. That’s how we elected fitst ever green in Ontario parliament.
Do you know what harm has been caused by this government (following in the steps of Harper, no change) to our little remaining forests and waters, indigenous and protected lands? That trucks are stepping on protected land and drilling literally breaks past the borders? That Canada is worst in G7 and far behind commitments to the Paris accord on green house gas emissions? That air in Canadian cities more and more oftencarries paricles per cubicmm far beyond the healthy norms? That, and that, and that. I’m exhausted and I truly hope that in this moment of time, people will finally wake up and act on conscience not on strategy. Then there will be a chance for real change!
I got into Twitter arguments over this because people were either screaming “he did nothing wrong” or “resign, give the election to Scheer”. Well, no. I am Canadian, I am a 100% Liberal, and yes, what he did was wrong as hell. No question. He immediately acknowledged the wrong instead of trying to fiddle around to, and he apologized – not a “if I offended you” fake apology.
Yes, i am disappointed and yes, he’s not perfect, but I look at the overall liberal policies and his overall record and there’s no way I am voting any other party (we vote for local MPs here anyway, not directly the PM) or abstain or voting third party in a snit. We cannot afford that. I’m in ON and I see the inept bumbling and corruption and lying exhibited daily by Ford and his con cronies and I will do anything I can to stop Scheer and the federal conservatives from winning this election.
I find that just like in the US, liberals expect absolute purity and perfect policies from their candidates while the conservatives will vote in a can of tuna if they think they can get their \policies enacted. Should we hold our candidates to a high standard and expect them to espouse, embrace and demonstrate progressive policies? Absolutely. Should we expect them to admit their mistakes and make amends? Of course. But I think we really should consider the alternative and what they would mean before we throw the baby out with the bath water. If you are one of the following (or care about them): senior, expecting parent, parents who need child care, LGBTQ, new immigrant, a woman (who wants to control her own body), non-Christian, someone who believes in social services and a strong safety net, or wants to protect the environment… what other party can you vote? (You know the NDP cannot get the majority. I’ll be happy to consider them, but not this year).
That’s the worst thing. We don’t have a choice. If we care about our country and it’s future, many of us will HAVE to vote Liberal. The alternatives are THAT bad. How did we get to this point. THIS IS CANADA. We always say we’re better. It hurts to know we’re NOT.
Same here, I live in Ontario and there’s no way I will endorse Scheer and Ford. Ughhh just no.
Plus, I remember reading last year that the PC pre-voted to eliminate Jus Soli from the Canadian birthrights. If that doesn’t target a certain sector of the Canadian population I don’t know what else it means.
Trudeau is not perfect but he will have my support.
Frankly I totally get the anger and disappointment in this but where is the equal outrage for Scheer comparing gay marriage to dogs in 2005? To me that is equally damaging (or worse) because Scheer refuses to apologize and retract his statement. For me as a voter, it is about policy and I have already seen the damage Ford did to Ontario in one year and Scheer is his buddy. A vote for NDP or Green is a vote for Scheer at this point. I know it is not ideal but I don’t want to go backwards.
Same. Not surprised, racism in Canada runs deep and long, and it’s still an elitist white country. However, his apology was direct and, as often with Trudeau, felt real, and Scheer’s Conservative party is reactionary and bigoted in the present. Ugh. What a world.
There is no such thing as a perfect politician. When the liberals do something wrong it is like it is the end of the world, when the conservatives have done stuff 10 times worse but the liberals don’t just focus on that, they actually talk about the issues. Is it ok what Trudeau did? NO of course not. It was a long time ago and he apologized and obviously knows the errors of his ways. But do we really want to hand this over to Scheer who will destroy everything good about Canada? Definitely not.
Agree with everything, especially about the ‘no perfect politician.’ Look what that did for the USA.
Beige Canadian NDP voter( who doesn’t consider her vote a throw away)here and allow me to say Canada has always been a racist cesspool. At this point because there is a strange ideology amongst many Canadians that we only have two parties. So my hope is its an Lib/NDP minority but with first past the post and being a west coaster it’s always frustrating to see things shake down before we even have a chance to have our votes counted. It doesn’t help that we have super low voter turnout…siiiggghhh
I mean, between a clueless, affluent, ridiculously privileged white guy who blackfaced 20 years ago but tries to have an inclusive government and attempts to write inclusive policies and another affluent white guy whose team has people linked to the Proud Boys and Ezra Levant and whose party tries to limit the rights of minorities and let a child soldier rot in Guantanamo, I’d still rather go with the blackface idiot. It’s far from ideal, but there’s being culturally insensitive and being a bigot so insensitive is the least worst of the two
Ugh here too and there is now ANOTHER video of him doing it. So 3 instances now.
CBC has posted the video of the third incident in a news story (https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/canada-election-2019-where-the-leaders-are-day-9-1.5289326).
You can see him wearing an afro wig and laughing and giggling with his friends.
So, at least 3 times, Justin Trudeau has mocked people of colour.
I am most disturbed by the 2001 incident as Trudeau was 29 years old and working as a teacher at a private school in British Columbia. Student’s look to their teacher for guidance and inspiration. Trudeau, by his actions, told the elite students at the private school that he approved the mocking of cultures by way of “blackface”.
Trudeau has helped thousands of Syrian refugees find a new home in Canada. He marched in the gay pride parade in Toronto and extended maternity leave to 18 months. Much has changed since 2001; I accept his apology, he absolutely has my vote.
29….is not 20s, this should be described as 30s, too old to pretend he didn’t know better
As a fellow Canadian I kind of feel this is the least of Trudeau’s problems. Yeah it’s bad, but his ship is already sinking anyway.
As for strategic voting, I will definitely be voting NDP since they are the only party in my riding that has even the slightest chance of beating the incumbent conservative candidate. I might not be a big NDP supporter but given the way so many of our allies seem to be leaning so far right these days I am hoping to see Prime Minister Singh in office to prove that Canada can do better.
We are all super depressed at work (in Canada). He’s got a lot of white and male privilege to check. But he’s still got my vote – even though I’ve voted NDP as well as Liberal in the past – because I think he’s our best bet to NOT have a PC government.
Canadian here too. Very disappointed. As the “Trumpification” of Canadian politics continues, this is even more upsetting (see Doug Ford the premier of Ontario as an example). I will still vote Liberal as the alternatives are too scary to contemplate (the conservatives are too socially conservative and I can’t fathom having Harper 2.0 and the NDP has fallen apart and is no longer has a chance to form the next government). Very depresssing…
The timing of this is super circumspect. I am voting Liberal as the far right Conservatism just scares me. Oh, and also … I believe the Extinction is real and happening and Conservatives have a horrific, horrific record with the environment. Like … it is almost as if they want the extinction.
Also Canadian. It sucks this is coming out. What he did was racist, however, as PM Trudeau has been welcoming of refugees and inclusive (unlike the Conservative party6 so this is unfortunate.
Yes Emily! Trudeau waiting at the airport with a smile, winter jackets, and a warm embrace for the Syrian refugees is what this country and world needs. I hope this isn’t forgotten at election time.
This shady and spendy fool will get elected again.
Canadian here as well. Been checking in on this since last evening. I’m an immigrant of South Asian origin.
I remember watching Peter Sellers in brownface on video when I was a kid, and pretty much every single person in my family, circle of friends, we laughed at it because we thought it was funny.
It took a long time for me to realize why having a white man in dark makeup was offensive, Even now some older people in my community back home wouldn’t understand why Peter Sellers isn’t funny.
To be honest, I’d probably still find it funny watching Peter Sellers, but I understand why it’s a huge problem. And why now in 2019, no one should do anything like that any more. Of course the movie or skit (tbh I don’t remember if it was just a bit part or not), was made in the 60s? Or maybe 70s?
I also don’t mind if a non-South Asian person wears our traditional clothing etc. as long as it’s not done in an effort to stereotype us or make fun of our culture or traditions, kwim?
In Trudeau’s case: his brownface as Aladdin was in 2001. And the blackface was when he was in high school, which would have been in the late 80s early 90s?
I don’t know when the 3rd incident is from though.
But despite that, I am still going to vote Liberal and I don’t hate him. Nor am I shocked that he did anything like that. It’s not like being the part of a hate-group like the KKK.
Now if it comes out that he was giving money to the KKK or had beaten up someone and called them racial slurs – I’d be more worried.
I feel like policy wise it’s still better to vote Liberal than Conservative. I don’t mind the fiscal policies of the Conservative party much, but their stance on abortion and immigration etc. give me pause. I would never in a million years vote NDP. Every single time they have come into power in any province, they have bled them dry and left everything in tatters.
But if JT’s past actions hurt anyone personally, I understand why.
I just hope that all of this mess doesn’t mean we end up voting in a Conservative majority or a NDP minority. It would be bad for the country as the global economy is headed for a recession and I think the NDP would spend everything in a month and leave us in tatters. And I feel that a Conservative majority would mean changes in some policies which would impact the environment and people’s rights.
Well said. Thank you.
I think it’s awful that he did that, and I’m really bummed out over it.
But I also think that if someone shows growth following behavior like that – and puts good into the world and recognizes that what they did was wrong it’s a different ballgame than if someone continues to engage in that kind of thing. If his policies were negatively targeting minorities in the same way that someone like Scheer or Kenney are I would feel differently than I do knowing that this is the party that is doing more to support women, minorities and LGBTQ+.
It’s difficult to navigate. I’m really conflicted, and it’s just not something I know the answers to.
Erinn this is how I feel too.
I am a Canadian living abroad and I while I don’t affiliate myself to any party, I have was always felt pride in his general image overseas (I do feel like a lot of that is people’s general idea that conventionally good looking people = good/ethical/competent people, but… whatever). While I do my best to vote for the person, not the party, I’ve struggled with the idea of voting Liberal with a clear conscious and this does not help.
I’m so nervous for the election. I feel like everyone back home has been kicking back, laughing at the dumpster fire that is America for years now (as if that smug perspective is anything new)… but if the AB and ON provincial elections have been anything to go by, next month could be our November 2016…
Hoping you’ve already obtained your overseas ballot.
I’ll be another strategic Anything But Conservative voter but fear that this will peel away more votes from the center. I’d like to vote for a hybrid Best Of the NDP and Greens but this year, some real nose-holding.
I don’t think Trudeau is a saint but I do think there’s been a measure of stability and reason during his time, and he’s had decent people around him. He’s been a real deft hand with Trump, which is a nearly impossible task. And the economy has been fairly stable. Not sure who else would handle this delicate time the same way. I wish we had the same team with less of a lightning-rod leader.
Scheer’s an out-and-proud bigot with bigoted candidates everywhere, and he doesn’t kick the off the team either.
SarSte … there is a reason the WHOLE COUNTRY voted Liberal last election. To get the Conservatives out. We now have the least unemplyment in 40 YEARS. A Prime Minister who apologizes when he does wrong, who tries to do what is right. Who cares. Stephen Harper was our Trump. He was our quiet Trump. He dismantled our scientific community and our environmental protections and sold our country to China. He was highly unethical and dishonest. Well, not dishonest, he just never spoke to reporters. Disdained them and scientists. Those are earmarks of horrid, undemocratic leaders. To disdain anyone who might have a voice to disagree with you? I was scared under the Conservatives and I think rightly so.
It’s really hard to deal with. I find what he did absolutely terrible. He SHOULD have known better. Especially having grown up with a microscope on him due to his parents. But at the same time … he seems like he’s genuinely become aware that it was wrong. His policies speak to that. His relationship with other nations speaks to that.
I think it’s a good reminder that no politician is going to be a perfect candidate. He definitely benefited from being a wealthy white dude growing up the way he did. And it bothers me so much that he was just like so many of the people I can’t stand. But at the end of the day – the policies of the liberal party are important to me.
Hell. I can’t STAND the little tyrant that is Stephen McNeil. I loathe the man. I think he’s a temper tantrum having, union hating, idiot. But I’m still going to vote liberal… and I’m still going to voice my anger when they screw up.
pineapple – 100% agree with your view of Harper, he’s like basically Voldemort. But not sure what the last election has to do with next month? I think a CPC leader now, in this critical social and political moment, could be even more of a disaster than Harper ever was. (Also, if I’m trying to vote with a clear conscious, you know who I’m not voting for lol.)
SarSte … if Harper is Voldemort, Andrew Scheer is his snake. I can’t with the Conservatives. I can’t.
I dunno, it just makes him seem like such a punk. At best,
It’s inexcusable. He did it, and it just shows his white male privileged unchecked culture, and I hope he works hard to fight it.
My mother in law brought from her trip in Brazil 20 years ago a lot of indigenous body artefacts. FOR DECORATION. And we are Portuguese (i.e., Brazil’s colonisers)! I was horrified. And I was 20. It’s just common sense to me that you don’t play with oppressed minorities’ identities.
I’m 46 and I’ve known since I was a teenager that blackface is wrong. And it’s not because my parents were vocal about those kinds ofb issues. It was just known because of those awful old movies where the actors used blackface so I don’t understand how anyone thinks this stuff is ok.
I’m around your age (43),and in the US.From a small town where some people were definitely racist,by choice or ignorance.I graduated HS in ’94,and some guys showed up in blackface for Halloween costume day at school.Even in my small mostly white town/HS they were sent home,and to their slight defense they were stupid teenagers.We knew better then,I don’t find these things excusable.He should have known better,to say he didn’t is just white people being disrespectful of other cultures and dark skinned people.
I’m trying to understand how these folks had all these opportunities for black face. Like, three separate times?! I grew up in a really backwards area and went to a really backwards college and this was not the kind of party I ever saw happen. I obviously know they happen, but the sheer number it’s like folks were *going out of their way* to paint their faces offensively.
He is a huge turd and needs to go! This isn’t even his first scandal. He pressures our AG-an indigenous woman- to not press charges against a corrupt engineering firm here. It was so bad that she stepped down and the RCMP is now investigating! I wish he would step down so a new liberal leader can step up and take over, but his ego won’t let him.
This is exactly what happened to the liberal leader in my provincial election, she refused to step down and now we’re stuck with a Fat slob of a Trump wannabe.
I’m so upset with Trudeau! If the election swings in favour of the socially conservative leader we have running now because of this I will be harassing my MP with emails hourly.
I’m really conflicted this election. My vote doesn’t really matter (I live in a very conservative area and I guarantee they’ll be voted in here, no question), but Scheer vs Trudeau? It’s Lainey’s old sh!t vs diarrhea, isn’t it?
You vote does matter. I’m conflicted too, but if it’s Scheer vs Trudeau, Trudeau is the lesser of the two evils and lets be real, I think it’s important to have a moderate government between the US and the UK. My fellow Canadians are going to get the shock of their lives if we get a Conservative government and they’re not going to like it. (If the rumors about the Conservative funding are true we’re in deep trouble). I’m looking at what the NDP is offering these days.
No to me it’s a blackface at a costume party 20 years ago vs a blackface heart in 2019. I really don’t want Stephan Harper 2.0 and the other parties don’t have a chance so…
Please guys, if you are conflicted vote Liberal. Look into newpaper ownership in our country. We have 89 daily newspapers, over half are owned by Conservatives. At one time we had the highest concentration of newspaper ownership in the G8. You don’t read positive articles about Trudeau because the newspapers are owned by Conservatives. Remember last Federal Election? Like, two days before all the major papers had huge front page/internet ads for Harper. Trudeau swept the country two days later. It is unethical for papers to hype one leader over another. In an editor’s letter … maybe, but, to just advertise for one person. No. That is not how democracy works. No one blinked an eye. But if you paid attention in history class, you would know that is not okay. Not a true democracy. State facts. Black and white, about all parties. Don’t advertise for one, not in the major papers and front page. No.
Your vote ALWAYS matters. Do not let anyone convince you otherwise. If the system doens’t make your vote matter, that’s a different story (and it means the system should be changed).
That’s not why Kathleen Wynn lost. While she should have stepped down, Ford was going to win as a wave of ultra right-wing conservatism is sweeping democratic nations. Hes the Trump of Ontario and she’s gay. It was never going to go in her favour. Perhaps a different candidate would have helped, or if the NDP hadn’t effed up so badly with Bob Rae, the outcome could have been different.
The NDP didn’t actually screw up under Bob Rae, it’s just that people were selfish and didn’t want to take a few days off to save the government money and then Mike Harris came in and slashed everything and privatized our hydro which is still a mess today. Boomers are still not over Bob Rae but it’s not like the province did any better under Harris and it’s going to do even worse with dofo as his enriches his cronies and hurts the more vulnerable who don’t vote PC.
Hey deezee, did you know the Guelph Green Candidate was an intelligent, hugely popular white guy who was NOT ALLOWED by the news station to compete in the Provincial Debate? He was intelligent, and well-spoken and super popular, the Leader of the Greens in Ontario. He wasn’t allowed to speak in the debate. He wasn’t “invited”. He would have had a chance to beat Rob Ford but our “political system” wouldn’t let him compete. Because IF he won, Green policies would have come into play in Ontario. It was unethical that he wasn’t there. It was a huge disservice to Canadians. Our system has been manipulated by a small group of the Conservatives and I am saddened by it.
@pineapple? Did that candidate stand a chance at winning in the area? Not all candidates are invited to speak duringdebates if they don’t have enough support. And the Green Party of Ontario would never win. It’s a three party system in Ontario. Voting Green is a vote for the Conservatives as it’s a wasted vote.
@deezee Mike won in his riding. He is enormously popular in his riding in Guelph. The University of Guelph is there and they have a lot of Environmental Programs and the area is really progressive in caring for the climate. So … he was hugely popular in his area and apparently qualified for the debate. He is a very intelligent man. He wasn’t allowed in. It was an issue because given who was debating … he might have stood a chance. Or, he might have raised people’s understanding of the Extinction we are currently in. Just on educating the populace alone .. I would have loved to see Mike compete. The Greens are an option for Prime Minister, they should have been allowed in the Ontario Provincial Debate. The Green Party of Ontario didn’t win … because they weren’t even allowed in the debate. Against Rob Ford??? A hugely popular, intelligent, compassionate white guy might stand a chance, no?
In Guelph, Mike Schreiner is now MPP and getting attention for being a vocal opponent of Ford policies. It’s a step. But he wouldn’t have become Ontario Premier. Guelph is still a bit of an anomaly, and even in Guelph there are plenty of big- and little-C conservative voters (and bigots, too).
@Deezee yes the Green party candidate, Mike Schreiner won the seat in Guelph.
Jodie Wilson Raybould is no angel. She quietly approved the leak to the Globe and Mail of alleged PMO efforts to intervene in the SNC-Lavalin case. She did it while she was still a cabinet minister. She recorded a telephone call with Michael Wernick, Clerk of the Privy Council. She indicated several times during the recording that she was “uncomfortable” and that she felt the conversation was “inappropriate.” If this was truly how she felt, why did she not hang up? Oh, right. She didn’t hang up because the tape was running. She herself called her decision to record the phone call, which she did because an aide was not present, an “extraordinary and otherwise inappropriate step.” Where’s the integrity in that?
I agree, I might be willing to overlook the black face as it was 20 years ago. However 3 incidences and he wasn’t a kid and we knew back in the 70’s it was inappropriate, how someone in 2001 could think it was appropriate astounds me; that’s some rich white boy entitlement as opposed to racism on Trudeau’s part, I think.
My bigger concern with Trudeau is his ethically wrong behaviour, with regards to the SNL Lavelin affair, not only did he pressure a cabinet member, but then lost two strong women MPs because of it, he threw Admiral Norman under the bus and ruined his career with lies. The liberals just lost General Leslie as a MP, he doesn’t like the ethics issues either.
With all these ethics violations I will not be voting liberal, trouble is all the other choices are horrible too.
I’m 34 (and Afro-Latina, visibly black) and I remember I went to high school and college in the south in the early 2000’s. People did blackface for costumes ALL the time. It lightly bugged me but it was so common, normal, and accepted that it never really bothered me that much. NOW it bothers me and I’m sad for younger me that I thought it was acceptable but….like, I’m trying to make the point that it was a different world in the early 2000s. It doesn’t seem that long ago but we’ve had an incredible amount of social change in the last 5-10 years. It’s been a long time coming but it wasn’t here until it was.
I’m six weeks shy of turning 75, lived in the South all my life apart from six years in Germany, and I ALWAYS knew it was WRONG. Kay Ivey, our governor in Alabama, is trying to excuse her sorority blackface by saying it was a different time, the mid 60s, acceptable then. Hell, no! I was in college in Alabama at the exact same time and it was the time of the 16th Street Baptist Church bombings, Selma, Bull Connor and the fire hoses and police dogs. Anyone with a brain knew it was wrong. Always has been, always will be. No excuses.(I’m white, btw)
Jerusha: Here here. I’d add to this only to say that it has long been unacceptable in the south *if* you are an absolute supporter of the long history of the fight for civil rights. The people who say otherwise are actually saying something quite clearly, which is that they don’t quite align with stances and policies that reject all the permutations of racism.
Canadian here – Trudeau is a massively privileged rich white guy, anyone who is surprised by these photos hasn’t been paying attention. Unfortunately with the way our current system is, our next Prime Minister will either be him, or someone who happily and gleefully courts the white supremacist far-right vote and who is also anti-LGBTQ, anti-reproductive rights etc etc etc. I support neither (NDP girl) but this is our sad reality.
I’m a Canadian too, and am completely pissed off by this. He’s just split all the left votes and essentially handed the race to Sheer.
yep. Trudeau’s time is done, we need better options or the Cons will be in power for another decade…maybe Bernier’s party will split some of the right votes?
I’m not sure that’s the case, really. I don’t think MOST people voting liberal are doing it just because they liked him. I think we have a huge group who is voting liberal to avoid a PC government, and I’m really not sure how much this will shake them. If anything the SNC Lavalin would have been the nail in the coffin.
This has only split the votefor people who can’t think critically lol there’s no way NDP is gonna win, so you might as well vote for Liberal, unless you’re a bigot, then you can vote for Scheer
@Erinn I can say I’m going to be voting against a PC government. I think some Canadians are thinking about what a PC government would mean given the current situation in the US & the UK.
I really wish he would have disclosed these dress-up events 2-3 years ago. If he heard about the Ralph Northam situation in Virginia, US, that would have been a good time. Did he not think they would come out?
Same, voting for anyone else other than the Tories or liberals is basically a lost vote. Unfortunately the NDP is not doing well and haven’t done since Jack Layton, people won’t vote for that party because of their new leader – especially in Quebec, which in addition to Ontario has many seats in parliament
It is our reality guys but … think about this. I am hoping the Climate Change issue might change it all. At some point this crap is going to get real. Perhaps at that point people might actually listen and vote for the Greens. In Ontario, they were literally kept out of the Provincial Debate for Premiere. I think the fear was the old, white guy who is actually intelligent (the Green Candidate) would perhaps have beaten the old, white guy who now is Premiere. We will never know, but I am truly scared of parts of the Conservative agenda .. I think I am voting Liberal.
At some point, do you guys all just want to purchase a mountain top? We can make Kaiser and Celebitchy our leaders and watch shows about Royalty with paper mache korgi’s and just gossip and laugh all day. XO
This won’t affect my vote. I’m voting strategically to keep the Tories out. In my riding, that means Liberal, just like last time. Luckily for me, my MP is awesome and I’m happy to vote for him again. (In Canads you don’t vote directly for PM.)
I’ve never liked Trudeau, although I do like his apology for this (no bs, took responsibility, flat out admitted it was racist). But Scheer is in the Drug Ford / Trump vein and would be a disaster.
Ed the Sock put it well: https://twitter.com/EdtheSock/status/1174486781020037126?s=09
(I don’t even know how to begin to explain Ed the Sock. He’s a cigar chomping, profane sock puppet who talks about politics …)
ETA: Drug Ford was a typo but I’m keeping it.
Actions speak louder than words.. I like that.
And thank you for explaining how you don’t vote directly for the prime minister.
I love and miss Ed the Sock – I didn’t realize there’s a twitter haha.
The best way I could describe him is he’s similar to “Triumph the Insult Comic Dog”
FINALLY someone with some sense! I just don’t want the Conservatives in, so this isn’t changing my vote. Unfortunately the Liberal MP in my area isn’t the best, but I would rather them over Scheer
Drug Ford. XO
Druggie, for short.
Ugh. Just such a stupid thing to do.
This election is a gong show, and there is still a month to go! Please fellow Cnds, tell me what to do with my vote so we don’t end up in trouble. Ty.
Easy. Vote Liberal. The concern has to be current actions and policies. Trudeau’s closest challenger compared same sex marriage to counting a dog’s tail as a leg, and basically dismissed the entire Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls findings and recommendations. It all sucks, but vote Liberal.
Nobody can tell you how to vote. You either vote for the candidate in yor area you think will represent the constituents best. or you vote strategically. Most Canadians never vote FOR anyone, but vote AGAINST someone. Like if you don’t want a PC government, you see whether the NDP or Liberal candidate in your area has a better chance at winning.
Easy. Vote Liberal.
Vote Liberal please 😀 – Not saying JT didn’t FU royally but we must keep the neo cons OUT.
Terrible? Yes. Am I still voting Liberal? Yes. I’m pragmatic. Trudeau’s CURRENT actions have been progressive and inclusive, the Conservative challenger Scheer is a Trump-style nightmare waiting to happen. I’m a high-income white woman, I’ll be fine either way. But hey I like that refugees are helped, LGBTQ people can marry, and kids have libraries. So sue me!
Yep – exactly.
I LOVE libraries. I also like teachers in school. XO And you know, clean air and stuff. XO
Agreed. I’ll have to be the “bleeding heart liberal” on election day. No other choice.
I’m honestly so happy reading this thread to see so many like-minded Canadians. We’re gonna be okay…we’re gonna be okay.
Yep. Same.
+1
I was discussing this with a friend today. She sent me a link to the article and she said it was PCism gone to far, etc etc. I had to explain why blackface was a probvlem, and how it contribute to coloured people being see as “the other”. I used the example of Micheal Jackson and Madonna. To dress up as MJ, you can wear one of his iconic outfits, and you’ll know its him. You don’t need to paint the face. But people often do. Why? If I were to dress up as Madonna, I would wear the material girl dress or the cone boobs and done, people would know. I would not need to paint myself white. The fact that people need to colour their faces means that those people do not exist past their colour, as people. They will always be the other. I don’t think she got it though. This is a person who I have always considered very tolerant and open minded. I was both saddened and disappointed.
As for Trudeau, he should have known better. But, it’s a journey for all of us. For him, for my friends like the one I wrote about above, even my BF who I have been discussing this with as well. He doesn’t get it but he is trying to learn. We have to keep pushing the discussion forward
Yeah the timing of this is important. In 2004 Billy Crystal did blackface during the opening of the Oscars. In front of 40 million viewers. And people thought it was hi-LARIOUS. What an opening! 🙄 Yes it was always wrong, and if you were condemning it even then, congratulations. The reality is most people laughed and moved on. We’re still growing, we’re getting there.
Snazzy – maybe don’t refer to us as “coloured people”, I personally find that more offensive today, than a 20 year old blackface pic. Trudeau still gets my vote, because scheer is just vile, and Jasmeet can’t win. I voted NDP in the provincial election, hoping most people would reject Ford, I’m not making that same mistake.
@Nestea I too am not white, so no need to be condescending with me … I put that in there to try and explain this to my white friends. And it worked. We had some great discussions today. I agree it’s not the best thing to say, but sometimes baby steps are needed to get the message through.
The Mj and Madonna examples are perfect! Thanks. Right, POC dress like White characters ALL THE TIME *without* using WHITEFACE. Why, because we view the person as an individual with individual characteristics and not a race. I can dress as Sherlock Holmes with the hat and smoking pipe, no white makeup needed. As can be seen in the picture, those other ladies wore Eastern clothing without Brown face. Justin deliberately darken his face to comic por
Went to college from 2010 to 2014 and each year some white students would wear black face for Halloween or costume theme parties. They knew that their black peers found it offensive because each year we told them that we found it offensive. We published articles in the school newspaper about the history and how it was hurtful/offensive. We complained to the school administration until it was officially against school policy to wear black face. Still invariably each year we saw some white students in black face. Black face/black people/blackness was just too entertaining/amusing for them to stop I guess.
Based on his wardrobe choices for the India trip, this does not surprise me.
right?! I was absolutely NOT surprised by the black/brown face.
His whole India getup was offensive and I’m not even Indian
That was an embarrassment that we hope he does NOT repeat.
The India trip photos were a joke – on him. I am Indian – and really – no one here dresses like that on a regular basis. Its back to the “cows on the street” image – and really sad.
I’m a few years younger than him, but essentially same generation/age. He knew damn well what he was doing was offensive, and that’s exactly why guys like him did it. They did it to get a rise out of people and be edgy/cool, and whatnot. Look at me! I’m an asshat!
Think back to the Ted Danson/Whoopie Goldberg blackface episode. That was in 1993, way before Trudeau’s stint, and it pretty much wrecked Danson’s career for years. If a college-educated second generation politician cannot learn from that, he is either really stupid or a real egomaniac. He should have been a one term leader/PM.
I’m an American & I don’t follow Canadian politics but isn’t the person running against Trudeau someone along the lines like Trump? People can say & do questionable, hurtful things & then turn from that. If they evolve as a human being & apologize then I think it’s possible they are the person they are today. We never get apologies from Trump. So there’s food for thought. I’m really not familiar with Canadian politics, though. There’s enough nonsense here in America for me to be worried about.
his main challenger is a horrible homophobic, far-right, anti-LGBTQ, anti-women politician who openly courts the far-right, white supremacist vote. I am ashamed that these are our two options.
His main challenger’s party ran our country for 12 years. For those 12 years there was a real hatred for scientists and journalists. Stephen Harper closed our northern most scientific research station because “extinction exschminction”. He wanted intelligent, concerning information from up North … NOT coming in. He was and remains a real oil and gas guy from our Province that produces oil and gas, Alberta. Andrew Scheer … Justin Trudeau’s main competition is from Alberta also. Yay oil and gas.
The main party opposing Trudeau would concern Liberal humans. All the stuff OriginalLala says plus they are just super opposed to halting climate change. They like their journalists “on board”. They like their scientists fired. It is kinda scary.
@PIneapple – Scheer was born in Ottowa and moved to Saskatchewan and has never lived in Alberta. We have enough a@@holes in and from Alberta, we don’t need to add him to the list.
Yep. And Time sat on the story for over a month and released right after polling showed a neck and neck race. How convenient. Is blackface / brown face stupid and offensive? Absolutely. It does not however mean that the person who engaged in it is a racist. Reminds of VA. Pictures of their Governor in blackface were released and people were calling for him to resign completely forgetting that his political record showed that he was actually voting for and in favor of policies designed to help people of color. Had he been forced out more than likely the next Gov would have been someone whose voting record was harmful to people of color. People have got to start digging deeper on this things.
Yes, Andrew Scheer would be the worst thing to happen to Canada, another Harper in a different suit.
He is friends with Alt-right publications, refuses to come right out and say he’s against racism. The campaign manager for the Federal Conservative party is Hamish Marshall who used to be Corporate Director for Rebel Media and is a close friend of Ezra Levant.
The comments he’s made regarding the LGBTQ community, his wishy washy answers regarding reopening the abortion debate among other things makes me believe he will say what he thinks we want to hear until he gets into power and then will destroy the country.
I still have to go with Trudeau although I would love it if Singh had a better chance. I quite like Jagmeet.
Trudeau always has been a poor candidate but we Canadian would rather have him than either Harper or Scheer.
This is bad for sure, he should have definitely known better at that age. That being said this is a case of “clown coming back to bite” situation since his party campaign team has been heavily going after conservative members who in the past have made islamaphobic/transphobic/anti-abortion/anti-LGBTQ comments. Yes these comments are problematic, but its a bad campaign strategy. This is why attacks like these are never a good idea, stick to the policies and stop going after each other like this, you think he would have learned from the last election campaign when he was the one being heavily attacked by the other parties – and he won – and I’m not sure about other Canadians here, but part of my reason for voting liberal last time was because I was getting super annoyed with all the personal attacks against each other and they were pushing out what they were going to do instead of saying why the others are wrong. This has to change in Canadian politics, it annoys me to no end, just stick to what you are going to do and only focus on criticizing other parties policies rather than them personally. UGHHHH. Idk if this is going to help the conservative cause at all, Scheer’s comments after it made my eyes roll. Jagmeet’s was probably the most appropriate but then I saw the comments under that video and that made my eyes roll twice as hard.
Or admit your own shortcomings first, and dare others to do the same. Don’t hope it’ll never come out.
@Tuba, I agree – just pointing out that when a party plays dirty politics, don’t be surprised it comes back to you. However, this has definitely changed the topic of what this election is now about – racism. This has opened up the topic of racism all across Canada and has opened up conversation around it. The next debate will be interesting to see, because now there will be more focus on how parties will be doing more to fight institutional and systemic racism in Canada.
Very much hoping old photos of my high school play “The King and I” don’t surface or I won’t be able to run for dog catcher…. I’ll have to craft an exceptionally sincere speech about how shocked and angry I am at myself.
It’s just appalling, the increasingly egregious, culturally criminal things our younger selves continue to do when we’re not looking. No wonder we‘re shocked and angry.
Hahaha, so funny. Is that you, Shane, trying out a new comedy venue?
At least he isnt attending and supporting anti-abortion rallies, or “fuck the poor people” shit.
I’m going to continue to vote for him, because if this is considered bad, then what the hell is men trying to control womens’ bodies?
Still voting liberal. Cancel culture is out of control.
There’s no such thing as “cancel culture”. That’s merely what society now calls “facing consequences for your shitty actions”.
This has NOTHING to do with cancel culture. He did something extremely racists MORE THAN ONCE. It’s a ‘I’m a privileged rich white dude’ culture that is out of control and needs to be addressed, including him.
The problem is that the OTHER privileged rich white dude running endorses seriously harmful policies for anyone but other privileged rich white dudes.
This sucks. Also his policy towards indigenous people in Canada (giving fossil fuel companies free rein to steamroll over their communities for oil pipelines, sounds familiar!!)
Black Canadian here. I am not surprised. I also wont be surprised if this closet racist wins again. I can only hope the RCMP investigates him for the SNC Lavlin and that will be the final and permanent nail in Trudope’s coffin.
Do you really believe he is a closet racist? The guy whose cabinet is balanced instead of white male bread? Whose administration lifted close to 100 water advisories in northern communities? You are definitely not a Quebecois or you would know what SNC Lavalin means to that province. IMHO that was a complete nothing. And of you really think JT is a racist, please do tell us your feelings about Scheer and how much better his attitude and team and policies are and will be for minority communities. I’m all ears.
@Vauvert: Let me be very very VERY clear. I don’t give a shit what you think. SNC is not nothing to me. I didn’t post anything about supporting Sheer or voting for him. Take your white privileged ass and go sit down. You don’t get to bully me into voting to suit your agenda. And I’ll vote for whom I bloody well please, not what makes white women happy.
I read an ariticle online from the daily news in The Ottawa Citizen, a professor from one of our Universities said the “SNC Lavalin thing” that happens ALL THE TIME in politics. Trudeau is being horribly tried for it but this professor said, ” that is politics.” All parties do this. SNC Lavalin means a ton to the Province of Quebec. Politicians cater to their base. Would you rather our leader be catering to oil and gas and far right extremists? Do you want to keep abortion a safe option for women who want it? Why would you prefer the Conservatives in power?
@pineapple, I don’t vote to suit white women and what keeps them close to the seat of power while they continue to ignore the plight of women of colour. In the meantime, show me where I said I was voting or supporting Sheer. And for the record, were I to vote for the PCs, what you want will have zero impact on it.
What Trudeau did is odious and indicative of loads of closet racists, even if it unconscious racism/bias. The effect is still devastating. So no, I will not be voting for the Liberals.
Hey intheknow … I am sorry. I am entitled to my opinion (and it is a strong one) and you are entitled to yours, and it too is strong. I am just focused on trying to keep the Conservatives out of power. Period. I don’t feel like I have the luxury to vote for who I would really like to see leading the country. I do feel like it is Conservative versus Liberal, that’s how I feel. My biggest item I care about (in all honestly) is the extinction. I just … can’t wrap my head around it. (And honestly, neither leading party is properly leading in this regard.) I can completely understand you having your own concerns with regards to WOC and I respect them. (I don’t think either leading party serves you properly either.)
My husband is Afro-Latino and he says the same thing. Trudeau is the most racist and privileged white male he’s seen. My husband strongly believes that it’s all an act for popularity and a legacy he wants. He believes Trudeau simply wants to be remembered as the greatest most woke leader the modern world has seen but truly does not give two f’s in real life.
I can’t say I disagree, his treatment of JWR proved what a phoney he is.
JWR’s treatment of her job, the secret taping of another government official, and her caucus also left much to be desired. There’s a reason the situation never quite ‘blew up’ the way she expected. And I don’t think it had anything to do with her being from the indigenous community or her being a woman.
It’s true that Scheer is authentically racist and misogynist and not a religious pluralist though. I’ll give him that. What you see is what you get.
@Lia, If your husband thinks Trudeau is the most racist he must have his eyes closed because Scheer clearly beats him every time.
We live in a world with Trumps, Fords, Scheers, the KKK, white supremacist mass shooters, but TRUDEAU is the most racist and privileged man he’s seen?
Several misspellings and the use of “Trudope.” This may be someone from the outside.
Yah, like, WHO ARE THESE PEOPLE. There are so many comments on this story. It is like the Meghan stories. I wonder if all the posters are regulars. It would be so interesting to know. Like, WHO ARE THESE PEOPLE? Hee XO
As an Albertan in a province that recently elected Kenney, Scheer being elected is scary as their politics are similar. I agree with many commentators above: is Trudeau a privileged white guy? Yes. Is it abhorrent that he did that? Absolutely no question. That being said, his politics have been inclusive and (I believe) that is such a positive when we look at how elections are swinging in our country as well as others. The Alberta perspective is very anti-Trudeau especially with the whole SNC lavalin affair and that could cost him.
I also believe that in this culture and time when we are looking very in depth the “isms” and problematic behaviour, if we are truly serious about being inclusive, we also have to allow people to apologize and unlearn previous ways of being. That’s one of the premises of inclusive practice. The personal is political and when you compare Trudeau to Scheer, I only see evidence of one person acknowledging and attempting to repair wrongdoings made. Maybe I’m not cynical enough and Trudeau is putting on a show but I don’t have the energy to think so negatively and so this is the space I hold right now.
Even almost two decades ago he should have known better – not only was he in his late 20s, but he also comes from a political family. We’re not talking about a teenager from the sticks here.
Yeah, that’s where I’m at…he should have quietly addressed this much earlier.
Canadian here. The brownface photo was very upsetting. I appreciate that he acknowledged how wrong it was, owned up to it, didn’t try to defend it, and said it was inexcusably racist. He’s shown he’s done better in the years since, so I believe he’s genuinely sorry.
And not to “whatabout” this but Andrew Scheer (Conservative Party leader) has said homophobic things and not apologized, and has shown himself to side with religious bigots over marginalized communities. He’s a bigger danger to Canada than Trudeau, IMO.
It’s hard for me to say what the consequences will be in my riding, since the current MP is one of his Cabinet ministers who is very likely to be re-elected. In the last provincial election, (when Wynne’s Liberals were decimated) it went further left to the NDP instead of to Drug Ford’s conservatives, so i predict it will stay Liberal.
I’m in Kent Hehr’s riding and I feel very conflicted due to the sexual misconduct (I think that’s how it was phrased) allegations against him. He’s always come across as kinda smarmy to me but I always chalked that up to just the usual vibe you get around politicians. Anyways, I have no idea who to vote for.
For those Americans who are unsure about how our voting process works, we are supposed to vote for the candidate in our riding, not the party itself. So, for example, if I like my liberal candidate, but I don’t like the liberal party or the liberal leader, I *should* technically vote for the liberal candidate I like. That’s the theory. What happens in practice is different.
Can’t people relax and calm down? He made a mistake, yes, but it’s 18 years ago! Justin Trudeau is my age, I did some stupid things when I was in my late 20s/early30s and I’m glad that there were no smart phones these times… What kind of politician do we want? Someone who never made mistakes? Only if you make mistakes you can learn. Don’t we all do stupid things sometimes? He didn’t commit a crime, he just did something stupid, that’s it. And why do the pictures turn up so close before an election? So, please calm down and focus on real problems, like climate change, economic warfare, situation in Hongkong or the middle east, the orange president in the neighborhood, burning forrests all over the world, just to name a few. I’m not so familiar with specific canadian problems I have to admit, but the world needs liberal politicians like Trudeau. Don’t make a choice because of old embarrassing pictures, vote and judge a politician for his/her political actions not some private/personal choices that are looong ago.
+1
Well then, tell the people in NC to just ‘calm down and relax’ because their governor did black face years and years ago.
Um, that was in Virginia. And the governor, who is a Democrat (yes I know the party has changed in the past 100 years), has been viewed by many black people in Virginia as doing a good job for them and they’ve been willing to take that into account.
North Carolina is dealing with horrific gerrymandering and other anti-democratic (anti-black-voting) tactics on the part of its Republican legislature, though. That’s a massive problem in the present day.
If you don’t have a problem with it, fine enough.
But if people are offended by a GROWN ASS MAN (29 years old) wearing blackface on THREE separate occasions who happens to be our Prime Minister, I think they have the right to be upset. As a Canadian, I have the RIGHT to be upset and to expect more from not only my prime minister, but the guy I sit beside on the bus. I have the RIGHT to expect that someone will not use the degradation of me and mine for their AMUSEMENT.
The fact that the ‘other guys’ are worse, just shows how horrible politics have become.
wow @kerwood, you said it! 100% agree.
@bgirl telling people to “relax and calm down” is HUGELY patronizing. You’re not upset, OK great good for you. I am MASSIVELY UPSET and disgusted. This was not an isolated “mistake” blamed on youth. This is a pattern of behaviour folks! Not once, not twice but THREE TIMES this dimwit decided to mock POC.
He started mocking POC in high school with impunity and continued for another decade (that we know of!). Have a look at the video, instance #3 of ignorant, privileged racism – it is the absolute worst.
Time for this jerk with white saviour complex to GO.
Canadian and brown person here. It’s all BS. Candidates like jagmeet Singh just milking it for their own agenda to gain votes. Trudeau not racist ..just dum choice to colour his face for the costume ..disappointing to see Singh who act so compassionate to others Joining in the attacks against Trudeau ..we all make mistakes and learn
Brown and Canadian as well. I think it was racist but to each their own. With regards to Jagmeet, I saw his press conference last night and he was laying it on reaaaaaal thick. He even had tears in his eyes. It’s like dude really? I think he went a bit too far in his response. Say it was offensive and move on.
I can see it being racist but seems more insensitive and ignorance on his part. Yes agree about jagmeet ..maybe he needs to join bollywood lol
I think it was racist in an oblivious way, which doesn’t excuse it. I don’t think Trudeau is evil, but he was raised in a certain milieu with a lot of money and privilege. I’m also afraid for us all if the Conservatives take the government, majority or minority. I will vote ABC as usual : Anything But Conservative. But I’m worried about vote splitting on the left. Very worried.
I have a friend who worked in politics and was acquainted with Singh. He thinks he’s full of shit, lol. As much an actor as Trudeau, if you believe Trudeau to be insincere.
Brown Canadian as well, and I completely agree, Dal. A lot of the people I see showing outrage (on Twitter) aren’t even POC, they’re just using this opportunity for more Trudeau bashing. He did a stupid thing, I don’t think he did it to mock people of colour. I accept his apology, and he still gets my vote.
https://www.thisamericanlife.org/165/americans-in-paris
There is an interview with an African American woman living in Paris who talks about the lack of racism and even the lack of the issue of race as a thing in France. Of course she lives in Paris and has money so I’m sure that helps. I don’t really know much about Trudeau or Quebec. Is he from Quebec? Does Quebec have French attitudes about race?
he is from MTL, my hometown. Look up Bill 21 to see what Quebec thinks about immigration and people of colour from minority religions.
France? The country that has a turban ban ????? Yeah ok.
Also, Quebec won’t allow public servants to wear religious symbols. That means a man/woman wearing a turban or a woman wearing a Hijab can’t teach or do any government job.
If you listen to the interview it is one black women’s experience and her shock at the lack of racism she experiences in France. Also if you look at primary source interviews of African American servicemen in France during WWII there also seems to be a recognition that they were treated far better in France then they were in their own country. The bans on the Hijab seems to be more of a religious issue than a racial one? White people are also prevented from wearing those articles?
Under the Quebec secularism law, it’s not just turbans and hijabs to be clear. ANY religious symbol, for example a Christian crucifix or Jewish kippah or yarmulke would also be banned. They’re banning all religious symbols equally.
@coolspray, yes but they won’t remove the cross from their legislature even if the law passes.
There are some absolutely lovely amazing people living in Quebec. But I deeply DEEPLY hate a lot of things that happen there. The family I have that moved to Quebec are very very bigoted people. They’re older – probably late 60s, early 70s. And my uncle (by marriage) is CONSTANTLY sharing incredibly offensive crap. Very anti-Trudeau, very xenophobic, very hateful.
I also find there’s a looootttt of European nations that seem to forget all of the colonialism they gleefully took part in.
Blackface has a long history in Quebec, and they’ll defend it mightily in their artistic circles. Maybe Trudeau being from there gave him the “permission” culturally to don it, but to the rest of Canada, it’s repulsive and horrifying, and over the years I believe he’s agreed and changed his attitude. I think that’s why so many Canadians are disgusted by this–we are better than this. And even though the Muslim community is satisfied with his apology, and even though Sheer has stated he doesn’t believe Trudeau is racist, how the rest of the voting public will react will be determined in the polls. So disappointing, though, and I thought SNC and Wilson-Raboult was the nail for me. No way do I want to see us go back to the Harper years.
I feel the same. Expelling JWR and Jane Philpott was awful. But Trudeau also has to answer for his multiple breaches of ethics… from taking vacations on the Aga-Khan’s private island to the SNC-Lavalin scandal. Not to mention the allegation of his groping a reporter (but, you know, the alleged groping was also 18 years ago, so I’m sure it was just a “mistake from his youth” and a grown man of 29 could not possibly have known it was wrong to grope a reporter from a national paper!)… the $14B dollars of deficit his party racked up for this fiscal year… his govt’s purchase of the kinder morgan pipeline… treatment of first nations peoples (remember his comments about how FN youth just want “a place to store their canoes and paddles”?)… Trudeau is very good at virtue signalling and a master of the scripted apology (nice touch with the “I”m pissed off” – he’s just like us folks!) but he does NOT walk the walk.
Trudeau is from Quebec. I’ve always said that if I want to be called ‘n*gger’, I go to Quebec.
And that Black woman who lives in Paris is fooling herself. Parisians are nice to her because she’s American. She should pay more attention to how the French treat their OWN Black people. I’ve seen it and it ain’t pretty.
I grew up in Quebec with dark olive skin, black hair and speaking three languages – I can’t tell you how many times people would come up to me and my grandmother in public and yell at us that we should be speaking French and if we don’t like it, to go back to our country. When I moved back a few years ago I was saddened to see that not much had changed in the 10+ years since I had moved away.
Exactly. This American Life podcast had a segment from Janet McDonald about being African-American in Paris. “Aahhh, vous êtes American?”. But as her French improved, the reception became colder & dismissive. I remember her saying, “They like us, but they don’t like *other* people who look like us,” like you’re one of the poor ones from Martinique.
@OriginalLala, Quebec uses it’s ‘distinct society’ status as an excuse to be openly and blatantly racist. Montreal and Quebec City are beautiful cities but I refuse to visit because I won’t support racism of any kind.
I’m just surprised these pics never got out back when he was running for Prime Minister four years ago. I’m not a fan of Justin’s and I’m not sure these pics are going to hurt him. He might get a good amount of racists voting for him now. Who knows. I honestly don’t like any of the candidates running. They all make fake promises. It’s ironic considering Justin was bashing Trump just a few months ago about how here in Canada we don’t tolerate racism lol yeah ok. I know as a POC how bullsh*t that statement from Justin is.
I was 19 and lived in Canada in 2001. I am also a white girl. I would NEVER EVER have worn blackface in any circumstance. I have never seen anyone wear black face. It’s just such a bizarre thing to do. Not normal. Even back then
Canada’s treatment of the First Nation people…..
Is the reason why Prime Minister Trudeau’s behavior doesn’t surprise me.
EXACTLY THIS!!! I am disgusted by the people saying ‘this is no big deal’. Of course it isn’t because racism has never impacted their lives. ever. They don’t have to think about it or deal with it. It is odious
Exactly !
Yup. During a townhall in Saskatoon in 2017, Trudeau said First Nations youth “want a place to store their canoes and paddles” in response to a question about funding for First Nations. But, it was 2017, years ago, now it’s a different world, how could he possibly have known this comment was offside?!?!?! – IT WAS A MISTAKE OF HIS YOUTH! AND HE’S PISSED OFF ABOUT IT!… yah, pissed off he got caught.
I loved it when Romeo Saganash handed JT his @rse in parliament – “JT doesn’t give a f^ck about first nations” – that was glorious.
Exactly. We are not the Polly Anna nation that are portrayed as in the media. Our health care has some big gaping holes in it and lots of people suffer for it. I had a family member with dementia and the care she receives was HORRID, and we still treat First Nations people like 2nd class citizens. Stay on the reserve and just deal with it. Trudeau’s big handsome smile doesn’t erase any of those
There have been some – not nearly enough given the extent of the neglect – steps taken about First Nations. Too soon to say if it’s lip-service-plus or not, depends on how they vote. They’re the ones to say.
In Ontario, the former Liberal government was taking some steps to improve health care, though it’s still a massive shortfall. It’s just that a Conservative government will make everything worse, support privatization, and not address the ever-growing shortfall in long-term care. So — do we allow it to get even more terrible, or do we at least try to keep it only moderately bad?
Its definitely not ok that he did this. Doesnt matter if it was 2001 either. Yes, the world may have been “less PC” then…but it still doesnt make it right. That being said, I do believe everyone deserves the chance to learn and grow. No matter what their age is. And I’d still rather have him in than Scheer.
He what he did is hella problematic ….. but he apologized and has been trying to do better especially with First Nation . I would take him over the other one who says homophobic things and has shown to side with religious bigots. As much as we like Jagmeet his poll numbers bottom out in Atlantic Canada and Quebec.
I’m sure a lot of politician have stuff they would rather not see the light of day. In Ontario people are worried about CUTS to Education and Health Care, as a black person living in Toronto those are the top with housing price and Transit.
who is going to do better for regular people…… plus I do not trust the Conservative!
He’s apologized and he will continue to apologiz. Is he racist?Nope.. his actions and policies show he is non discriminatory. As a black person I accept his apology.
How do you explain away the black face video and him imitating a money???
Show it to your kids and tell them you are voting for the guy in the video if you still believe in JT. Any person of colour who votes for this turd, should show these pics and video to their kids and tell their kids this is the person I believe in and I am voting for to lead Canada.
Nothing like the soft benevolent racism and whysupremacy of “liberals” or as MLK called them in his day “moderates”
Color me not suprised.
And people wonder why POC roll their eyes at “allies”
Yup. I wonder when POC will wake up and realize their ‘allies’ are knifing them in the back.
Yes, idiotic of him. But his subsequent actions have shown him to be sensitive and caring. This is a lesson to be learned. He should still be re-elected and should not resign.
There’s no reason to resign, government is suspended for the duration of the campaign, and the Liberal caucus has to decide whether to maintain him as their leader.
This election is going to be a referendum on Trudeau. The two candidates are tied according the latest CBC poll but Trudeau is projected to get more seats. A slim majority. Don’t like him but the other guy is pathetic.
Not Canadian, so my opinion has no weight, but I look at this, and it makes me think of the way we look at Dems and Repubs in the US. The Democratic party demands perfection from their candidates, it really does. And if past racist/sexist behavior comes to light, we demand cancellation. And this is what I think hurts our party. No one is perfect. I would never run for office knowing things I should have known better about will come to light. There are things that, while not this bad, I feel ashamed of because I grew up in a time where things were changing and I should have been growing faster. Even as a person of color, I continue to work to do better. Where Democrats lose is that for the most part, we cancel our good candidates with imperfect pasts, and the Republicans double down on their support. They completely support each other, there is no canceling, no cutting off. They accept “apologies” and keep it moving for the sake of what that candidate can do for their party.
(adding, I’m NOT talking about physical violence, sexual violence, or serious destructive behaviors, I’m thinking more of the systemic racism that we all need to do better on)
Demanding politicians not be racist is demanding perfection? What I’m gathering from the majority of comments on this post (not just yours) is that racism can be tolerated and explained away to advance whatever your political affiliation/agenda is. Black people in Canada and America WAKE UP! These are your “allies” and good white liberals! We have no friends. We have no allies. We are all we have. Period. We need to put our agenda and our needs first above anything and anyone else. Time to divest!!!!!!!!!
I’m not saying that, and perhaps my long response didn’t convey it. I’m just saying, as an indigenous person of color, I personally see we have a long way to go, and writing off people who are genuine in their attempts to change and grow is not the way. I don’t think it should be tolerated now. But in a person’s deep past, and with genuine remorse, it’s something to consider instead of just throwing the person away, especially when they are capable of doing good for people now. I acknowledge these are just my thoughts. I was also pointing out the reason I think so many Republicans in our country (and similar parties in other countries’ government) are able to hold onto power for so long.
Editing to add: I don’t know Trudeau’s politics well, just what I’ve heard on some forum groups where many people are Canadian. Perhaps he’s not as good for the people as I thought, and it’s not my place at all to decide how Canada and individuals should feel about him, I’m just commenting on my thoughts.
Most white people are racist. I am white and my father, uncle, grandfather, cousins who are my age, are all racist. I was raised by my mother to ignore my family’s racism and be better than that but she got shocked when in my 30’s I wanted nothing to do with my cousins who compared the Obamas to monkeys. Racism is inundated in white culture, wealthy or not. Until we start to acknowledge it and not allow racist jokes/comments even from “family” we are perpetuating the belief that white people are superior.
Canadian here. Now a third photograph – actually, a video – has emerged and it’s the worst. It was apparently taken in 2003, when Trudeau was 31 or 32, and its shows him not only wearing black face but also imitating a monkey. Absolutely no excuse or justification for that. It shows, at best, that he had appallingly bad judgment – and he still seems to have poor judgment, as shown by his official visit to India two years ago. In case you missed, he wore traditional Indian clothing, including wedding attire, throughout the tour, even though his hosts all wore Western-style business suits.
Do you have a link to the video?
I wonder if White people know how exhausting it is to be a person of colour.
Justin Trudeau was a grown ass man. He was a teacher. It takes a long time to put all that makeup on. On THREE separate occasions, in all the time he took to put on that makeup, he didn’t take a MINUTE to consider that maybe it wasn’t a good idea. That maybe somebody would be offended. Maybe somebody would be HURT. He just went ahead and put the makeup on and had a great time at whatever social event he was attending. THREE TIMES.
It’s not the racism. I don’t think he’s a racist. It’s the fact that HE DIDN’T CARE if a person of colour was hurt. People of colour live with that indifference EVERY FUCKING DAY. That White people don’t care enough to consider how their actions might cause us pain.
Over the years, Trudeau has watched as political careers have ended over stuff like this. Didn’t he think that this would come out one day? Or did he think that his position of being the wealthy son of probably the greatest prime minister in Canadian history gave him a pass? He was so blinded by his privilege that he didn’t think he should maybe admit to this bullshit before somebody used it as a weapon against him.
Our election is about some serious stuff. And there are some really horrible people running. The leader of the Conservative Party is disgusting. He got up in Parliament and said that gay marriage could never be a REAL marriage because gay people couldn’t raise children. That’s who Trudeau is running against. But now, thanks to Trudeau, this horrible man can stand up and say, ‘well at least I never wore Blackface’. Trudeau has made this election about him being a fucking insensitive idiot.
I’m not upset. I’m too old for that. I deal with racism every day, so when somebody else turns out to be racist, I just add them to the list. But I’m mad that the future of my country might be decided by the actions of a TWENTY-NINE year old man, who didn’t give people of colour a second thought.
I’m not a personal fan of Trudeau but I’ll be damned if I vote for Andrew Scheer. However recent, these were gross missteps made in the past. Look at what Scheer is doing NOW. His actions reflect his present mindset, as do Trudeau’s. Sheer is unapologetic, simply because he either doesn’t consider himself a white supremacist or he does and is proud of it.
I’m 31; at 29, Justin should’ve known that was offensive. Full stop. But who hung onto these for nearly twenty years? Why are they surfacing now? Not that anyone could’ve foretold the future, but it’s curious, to say the least, that they’re now a topic of discussion when he’s up against an actual racist.
I refuse to accept this minimizing of this odious behaviour of Justin.
‘he was young’
‘he apologize’
‘he’s still a good guy’.
It is all quite vile.
It is sickening that people are explaining this way..vs facing their true selves and I’d have more respect for them if they just say … ” I’m voting for this racist virtue signalling douchebag because he will give me more free stuff than the other guy. I care about what I get out of it not what happens to other people”…I’d be OK with that. But hiding behind equally shitty and reprehensible excuses is just as bad as what JT did.
He was asked if there was any more pics or videos during the first press conference..and guess what?? JT lied! There were 2 more pics/videos. So what is the excuse?? He was 30 yrs old when the first pic was taken. He wasn’t a child.
He did it 2 more times after that..so it shows it is a pattern of behaviour and definitely his mindset.
Stop minimizing his hateful odious racist behaviour. It wasn’t ‘idiot’, it was and IS racist. It wasn’t ‘stupid’ it was and IS racist.
It wasn’t youth or being young, it was and IS racist.
Just a slight correction — he was asked in the press conference if there were any other instances, and he admitted to his highschool talent show where he was singing. So it wsn’t “two more times after that”. It pre-dated the event when he was a private school teacher.
@In the Know Amen! One more time for the ones in the back!!!!
Refreshing that he admitted it’s racist as opposed to Trump who lies to us daily, doing racist things then lying saying it’s not.
Sorry folks, Trudeau doesn’t walk his talk. He thought nothing of bringing down two women in his cabinet and kicking them out when he clearly bullied them and is now blocking an RCMP investigation into his own actions until the election is over. Shall will look at how he ruined the esteemed military career of Marc Norman? It is clear Trudeau likes to play dress up, evidenced by his tour of India. He likes dressing up in parliament as well. Google how he whipped open his shirt to reveal his superman t-shirt. There is nothing that I have seen in the PC leader that leads me to believe he will set back women’s rights or that of anyone in the LGBT community. My concern is to see middle class taxed less and for Canada to develop their natural resources instead of relying on the middle east and the rest of the world.
If you haven’t seen anything in the PC leader that leads you to believe that he will set back women’s or LGBTQ rights, you haven’t been looking very closely.
Then vote NDP or Green. I don’t believe the PC’s align themselves with provincial PC’s in any way and Scheer’s focus is on the economy. Trudeau has on several occasions done what he wanted with no regard to women’s rights so he is no beam of hope, nothing but lip service. He is an entitled twat. Canadians have to focus on our economy and if we don’t there won’t be any money to pay for ANY social programs. Canada needs to stop being influenced by groups that are foreign funded special interest groups. They do nothing to boost our economy.
Scheer’s focus is on the economy for certain people. And rights for certain people. What foreign funded special interest groups are you talking about?
Andrew Scheer’s economic plan is right out of 1993. There is no innovation. None. Oil and Gas and that’s that. We are in the sixth mass extinction. It is not acceptable. Not innovative. It is not the plan of a real Leader.
Vote NDP or Green and say hello to Scheer. Ford has ruined Ontario (I am in Toronto) why not ruin the country too? Have we learned nothing from the Americans?
@nettie, agreed! Don’t understand the panic over Scheer.
JT is so entitled and privileged, he DOES NOT WALK THE WALK. Anyone can virtue signal, set up fake photo ops, and put on some novelty socks to distract from all the nonsense coming out of his fool mouth.
“here is nothing that I have seen in the PC leader that leads me to believe he will set back women’s rights or that of anyone in the LGBT community.”
AHHAAHHAHA. Come on, you HAVE to be trolling.
Scheer on same sex marriage:
“There is nothing more important to society than the raising of children, for its very survival requires it. Homosexual unions are by nature contradictory to this. There’s no complementarity of the sexes.
Two members of the same sex may use their God-given free will to engage in acts, to cohabit, and to own property together. They may commit themselves to monogamy. They may pledge to remain in a loving relationship for life.
In that sense, they have many of the collateral features of marriage, but they do not have its inherent feature, as they cannot commit to the natural procreation of children. They cannot there be married.
How many legs would a dog have if you counted the tail as a leg? The answer is just four. Just because you call a tail a leg doesn’t make it a leg. If this bill passes, governments and individual Canadians will be forced to call a tail a leg, nothing more.”
But suuuuuure, he won’t be a problem for women or minorities or LGBTQ+.
WORD.
I’m Canadian and 61. I’ve known since childhood that blackface is wrong. My mum used to point out Al Jolson and say – “that is wrong”. She hated it when kids came to door dressed as arabs or africans. As for those of you who think Justin Trudeau legalizing pot was a huge achievement and should be elected on that basis, you haven’t been paying attention. He has been disrespectful to Indigenous folks, fired two very competent women from his cabinet and tried to subvert the law by pressuring his Attorney General not to pursue a case against SNC-Lavalin (who bribed government officials in Libya for contracts, hired hookers for Quadaffi’s son and spent $90,000 on hotel rooms for that POS. Aside from weed, he has delivered nothing but scandal.
Well, let’s be fair pam. He has also delivered a $14B deficit! 😉
Is anyone looking at how he’s holding the student in front of him (he was a teacher at the time… right?). I tried to see if this was his wife, and it’s not. I think that This fact is equally as disturbing as black face, the kind of relationships that happen with students between male teachers. It’s something we need to talk about
She was a fellow teacher and close friend, he said. Before he married Sophie. Focus on how he was dressed at this time, not how he was holding a close friend.
Et tu, Justin??? 😭😭😭
Demanding politicians not be racist is demanding perfection? What I’m gathering from the majority of comments on this post is that racism can be tolerated and explained away to advance whatever your political affiliation/agenda is. Black people in Canada and America WAKE UP! These are your “allies” and good white liberals! We have no friends. We have no allies. We are all we have. Period. We need to put our agenda and our needs first above anything and anyone else. Time to divest!!!!!!!!!
Exactly.
Had he been honest the first time this would be over. His failure to be honest makes it difficult to believe him
I’m sorry, but… is… is he wearing eyelash extensions?!
He is going to be apologizing for awhile.
Considering the alternatives, it’s best to vote liberal.
As we say here, hold your nose and vote?
NOPE. Not happening. He’s not getting my vote. Enough.
So who are you voting for?
Agree. Andrew Scheer is no angel…his views on same sex marriage and abortion are clearly intolerant, and a number of his conservative staff are shown in videos, text messages and print that are clearly anti-women’s reproductive rights. And just read about the Yellow Vesters – what began as a group with legitimate concerns over job loss in a dying oil and gas industry has become a movement plagued with racist vitriol and fighting to close the borders to immigrants. Now it’s a home for the hateful far-right.
Another Canadian here. I agree with most of the other comments that fear a Scheer government, and will likely vote Liberal again just to avoid that. This is so disappointing. And it’s difficult to accept his apology. He spent so much time in Vancouver. I was born, raised, and still live in Metro Vancouver. It’s been greatly multicultural my whole life (I’m in my mid-30s). So I find it really hard to believe that at 29, having lived and worked here for many years, he didn’t know that brownface would be racist. And yet, part of me wants to believe his apology because he’s the first prime minister to make a point of having a cabinet that’s somewhat ethnically diverse and is 50% female. Feeling pretty conflicted right now about my vote. Ugh.
“If you don’t stand for something you’ll fall for anything.” —Malcolm X
This can happen to ANYONE… if you dig deep enough, everyone has some dumb stuff they’ve done in the past that can come back to bite them in the rear… yes it’s racist, and yes it’s wrong, and yes he should have known better, pretty sure he’s not proud of it. Let it gooooooooo…..
Nope. Not letting it go. Never. Ever.
Welp the next few years are gonna suck- a conservative majority probably and a global recession and an approaching climate apocalypse the no one cares to take action on. I guarantee the cons will re-open the abortion debate because the love to screw women over.
After the 3rd pic surfaced this evening they asked Trudeau if there were other incidences and he stumbled all over his words and eventually said he didn’t want to say for sure because he didn’t recall the last two. Clearly he is lying, wasn’t prepared for the question and is trying to save face. While many have said they question the timing it doesn’t really matter because if he hadn’t been so inappropriate so many times there would be nothing to even bring up. No way would this guy get my vote no matter have many gay pride parades he marched in. Gay rights and the rights of POC are not the same even though many blur them.
@suzieq, thank you!!!
Fellow Canadian here…. I am conflicted about this but when everything is said and done, I will take the devil I know (and who has changed over the last 15 years, supports LGBTQ & refugees) to the one who simply has WAY too many socially conservative candidates. If one more of those conservative candidates talks about abortion I am going to loose my ever loving mind.
Although I do like Scheer’s RESP matching and plan to bring back the sports and arts tax exemptions for the middle class…. BUT no. I will be voting Liberal.
ps where was this photo during the 2015 election?? It was in a yearbook! *eyeroll*
So here is how I am going to vote , strong and hard for Scheer. I will push my friends and family and everyone I run into to vote for him.
I don’t care about same-sex marriage and gay rights..why should I? It doesn’t affect me.
I don’t care about abortion. Why should I? I don’t plan on getting pregnant. Ever. + being in my 40s. See how this works for those who are saying shit like ‘let it go’. ‘so what it was 20 years ago’. ‘I am still going to vote for him’.
The everyday racism I face doesn’t affect you. Ok, carry on.
You don’t give a shit about my issues, I most certainly don’t give a shit about yours. Time to level this playing field.
So I am going to vote strong and hard for Scheer, because with him, I get to keep more of the money I earn, yes, I’d benefit from his tax cuts. I want to keep most of the money I ear. And right now, it’s one of the few ‘weapons’ I have to fight racists both closted and the outed.
Umm you do know the conservatives are racists too right? Scheer has said that he will support any member (even those that made racist remarks) as long as they apologize. It’s definitely your decision if you want to support Scheer, by all means but its naive to think that anyone will be able to fight racism under a Conservative federal party. He completely ignored the Murder and Missing Indigenous Woman’s Inquiry, and will ignore any form of institutional racism that exists in Canada, nor has he addressed Bill 21 in Quebec (seats that he desperately wants).
Plus they’ve also courted alt right and white supremacist groups. There are ties to Ezra and rebel media.
Good for you, intheknow.
I support you and believe every black woman has the right to put herself and her needs first.
Everyone else does.
Wow I am shocked by the “let it go” and “who cares, it happened years ago, in a pre 911 world”. So what?? Most white people are racist and you don’t get to tell us to calm tf down. I know the commentary on this would be different if someone from the Royal family did this, not the one who has done it already, but the other one.
And why did he go so dark with the makeup? Very telling, very telling indeed.
“Trudeau apologizes again, says he can’t remember exact number of blackface incidents”
Can you believe this bigoted man? How many are there if he can’t remember?? It’s a pattern of behaviour and clearly a mindset. That or some sort of fetish.