Justin Trudeau did blackface a third time, now he can’t remember how many times

President Trump meets with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in Oval Office

I apologize to all Canadians for this Justin Trudeau mess, but A) it’s actually getting funny/stupid and B) this isn’t the first time this mess has happened in North American politics! I mentioned yesterday that the governor of Virginia, Ralph Northam, was caught wearing blackface in some yearbook photos. It set off this weird commotion where Northam could not even say that those photos were the ONLY time he had ever done blackface, and that there could be additional photos out there. Well… Trudeau should have learned something from the VA governor and just come clean about everything as soon as the first photo came out. He could have just said “Look, I wore brownface and blackface approximately 58 times in my teens and 20s, I’m really sorry.” Instead, we have this slow drip of newly rediscovered photos of Trudeau doing blackface all the f–king time:

For what it’s worth, in his apology on Wednesday, Trudeau said that the photo from 2001 was not the first time. To be unfair to Trudeau, he only gave one other instance and it wasn’t THIS one. This is a THIRD incident, and it’s from “the early ‘90s,” which would have put Trudeau in his late teens or early 20s, probably. And in new comments on Thursday, Trudeau now says that he has no idea how many times he has worn race like a costume.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau apologized again on Thursday for wearing blackface in three separate incidents and said he did not know how many times he had put on racist makeup.

“What I did hurt them, hurt people who shouldn’t have to face intolerance and discrimination because of their identity. This is something I deeply, deeply regret,” he said. Darkening your face, he added, “is always unacceptable because of the racist history of blackface. I should have understood that then, and I never should have done it.”

Trudeau still insisted he was an ally in the fight for social justice and highlighted his administration’s actions to fight racism and intolerance. But he declined to say definitively whether there were more instances of him wearing dark makeup. He did not remember each instance, he said, because his privilege gave him a blind spot on the issue.

“The fact is I didn’t understand how hurtful this is to people who live with discrimination every day,” he said.

[From CNN]

“…Because his privilege gave him a blind spot on the issue.” Yeah, okay. Maybe once? Maybe once when he was a teenager? But he clearly did it several times as a teenager, and then continued to do it as a grown-ass adult. He was around the age of 29 in 2001, when he did brownface for the Arabian Nights party.

Trudeau lost Joshua Jackson’s vote:

British D-Day Commemoration In Portsmouth

Photos courtesy of Avalon Red.

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184 Responses to “Justin Trudeau did blackface a third time, now he can’t remember how many times”

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  1. Hanahk says:

    Well there goes our chances with climate change now that scheer will be through.

    • Snazzy says:

      Back to anti science, anti free speech, anti multicultural politics. Only oil and money. I am so sad.

    • Eenie Googles says:

      Or you could still strategically vote liberal because the magnitude of climate change is all-consuming and sometimes adults have to do things they don’t like for the greater good.

      Just a thought.

      • Amanduh says:

        Ssshhhh…they’re busy being outraged!

      • Who ARE These People? says:

        Hanahk didn’t say they wouldn’t vote strategically, they expressed their fear that other voters will peel away from the Liberals and vote for any of the other parties, whether Conservative (in which case they’re already fine with Scheer’s open racism), or more likely NDP or Green. This split on the center-left is the real concern.

      • TheHeat says:

        Exactly @Eenie
        Nobody has to be okay with this obvious error in judgement on JT’s part. Nobody has to excuse that behaviour. But, we are looking at the future of our country right now.
        The timing of this release is obvious. It’s an effort to push people who were on the fence about voting liberal to “throw away” their vote to another party (sad but true). And that will still put Sheer in.

      • stepup says:

        @Amanduh,

        While I agree that Canadians probably need to hold their noses and vote Liberal anyway, your comment is rude AF. It’s a steaming hot pile of target-blaming trash shit. (I don’t use the phrase “victim-blaming” because it’s bedeviled with too many cultural connotations at this point; besides, I’ve never known a Black person who was a “victim”; we’re more fed-up, frustrated and stress-exhausted from exasperation at this point.)

      • Nuks says:

        Never mind. I was going to make a circular firing squad remark but I just won’t bother. I just pray that people hold their noses and vote if JT is the least evil.

      • Amanduh says:

        Save your outrage, Stepup and use your energy elsewhere: a celebrity gossip blog ain’t it.

      • stepup says:

        You keep chucking around this word “outrage.” [Looks around and flips hair] Nobody is outraged around here. Just calling out a target-blaming punk ass while sipping a morning tea. It takes precious little energy. Thanks for your concern, though.

        By the way, I just ADORE (heart emoji) your hypocrisy! It’s fine for you to say what you want, but other folks need to chastised for engaging in the same exact act. Is that how it works?

      • stepup says:

        It’s called a conversation, sweetie. But hey, if your ego needs to be fed thusly: Yes, yes, yes! You are so witty and wonderful, Amanduh! You burrowed your little way into my head and are now living there rent free! You (pathetically) slay!

        But for realz: Your capacity for hypocrisy continues to astound. Really. A ++ on that front.

      • otaku fairy.... says:

        Stepup has a point. There’s nothing wrong with still voting liberal while still having a problem with what Trudeau did and not liking him as a person. That’s pretty reasonable. It’s not the same as… Candace Owens-ing everyone.

    • ZanB says:

      Here’s the thing. The Liberal Party can still win the election, but it is possible that the voters in his riding (Papineau, Quebec) won’t elect him to be their representative. If this occurs, he would not have a seat in the house of commons and would eventually have to resign as leader of the Liberal Party. Without a seat, Trudeau could not be parliamentary leader (i.e. Prime Minister).

      A similar thing happened to John Tory, in the provincial elections in Ontario. Tory was leader of the Ontario Progressive Conservatives party and represented his local riding from 2005 to 2007. In 2007, due to his policies, the voters in his riding refused to re-elect him. As a result, he had a ship (PC party) that he could no longer captain. He clung to the PC leadership until 2009. In 2009, a by-election was held in a newly created riding and he was able to run as a candidate. However, he still could not obtain a seat. He then resigned in mid 2009.

      • OriginalLala says:

        That is an interesting possibility ZanB! I hadnt thought of that option…

      • Who ARE These People? says:

        Given that the Liberal party may need a new leader, if they could retain government (even as a minority) and then elect a new leader, it may be for the best. I have to say he’s had a deft hand with Trump and has hired good people to provide a stable government and economy for the past 4 years. I don’t like everything, not at all, but given the insanity that comes with being the smaller neighbouring country to the raging colossus that is Trump USA, I don’t know which other candidate and party would be up to the task. These are not normal times.

      • blue36 says:

        I agree, and if he still wins in his riding and we get a liberal government, then I think its in the party’s best interest to tell him to step down. I know people are demanding for him to resign now, but we are also in the midst of an election – a resignation would cause chaos in the LPC at the current moment – it would be best for them to force this after an election (if they win that is). However, I think he will win in his riding in Quebec, because Quebec found this entire issue to be no big deal, however it rocked all other areas of Canada though

      • DM2 says:

        @blue36 — I agree, he’ll get re-elected in his riding – this is no big deal to them at all. It’s the rest of the provinces that will be a worry; the Maritimes, which went totally Liberal last election, are really ticked off with him this go around. And the west, well…’nuff said about that. I’m thinking it might be a minority for them this time. I’ll be voting on how I’d like to see the country going forward from this point, not how it was before 2015.

      • Montrealaise says:

        Our local tv news program did in the-street interviews with voters in his riding, including POC, and based on their answers, JT ha

      • Godwina says:

        Trust me, white Quebeckers don’t care enough about racism to let this stop them. I say this as a Quebecker who has seen their indifference time and time again. His MP position is safe. It’s his party he needs to worry about.

        JT is ugh on many fronts, but as someone said on another site, Trudeau and Scheer are like the difference between dealing with a common cold and dealing with cancer. I hate to equate systemic racism to a cold, but Scheer and his cabinet will make the lives of POC and other marginalized people so much worse than now. Never mind climate.

        Please vote strategically and save us from populism. Until we have proportional representation, a vote is a chess move, not a valentine (said by someone else on the internet).

      • Jay (the Canadian one) says:

        Given the secular attire laws they’ve put in place, I don’t see the majority of Québec voters being dissuaded by this.

        Though honestly I’m dismayed that, while this is worthy of debating his suitability as a leader, the SNC scandal wasn’t. That was a moral line he crossed only last year, and to be so hypocritical on tampering with the justice system almost the same time he was telling China his hands were tied on Huawei because we’re allegedly a rule of law country.

        Or we could talk about the fact he and his party was buoyed to success by bipartisan support for electoral reform, only to weasel out of it after they won.

        There are many legitimate reasons he and his party’s suitability should be questioned.

      • Arpeggi says:

        Papineau, JT’s riding, is very multiethnic and one of the poorest in Canada… Most of the people in the riding won’t care about insensitive brownface and blackface, they care about seeing their family allowed to move in the country, about low-cost education, affordable housing, keeping their jobs, living their faith as they see it… And they’ll vote Lib just like they almost always do. His seat is safe

    • Suzy from Ontario says:

      I truly hope that Canadians aren’t stupid enough to react to all of this by voting for Scheer, but after they voted Doug Ford into power, anything is possible. Too many people have short memories and react emotionally without looking at the bigger picture. Yeah, I’m disappointed in Justin as well, but at least he apologized and admitted it was horrible, he was younger and stupid and has learned and grown since then. He didn’t try to defend or minimize it as no big deal. He took responsibility and admits he was wrong (which is more than a lot of American politicians have done when caught doing similar things). A lot of us did things in our youth because at the time is wasn’t seen as wrong… which is not an excuse, it was just how ignorant we all were as a society. We didn’t see that it was hurtful and rude and racist and disrespectful. I believe that society has grown in the last 20-50 years, and kids today have a much stronger social conscience, which is a really good thing. Comics and jokes that were told 50 years ago and thought to be funny, are now seen as horrible and racist. TV shows that were seen as funny are now correctly seen as misogynistic and sexist. We’ve grown and learned, and now we can do better going forward. The problem is the people that can’t admit they did something wrong and apologize. I truly hope that people don’t use this as a reason to vote for the Tories, or we will all suffer as a result. The harm Doug Ford is doing in Ontario is just horrible. I don’t think Justin Trudeau is perfect or that he hasn’t made mistakes, or that he does all the right things now, but he’s a hell of a lot better than Scheer would be. Scheer will destroy Canada and our future.

      • JustSayin' says:

        The general feeling, I think, is “if both sides are racist, then I might as well vote for the candidate that best serves my wallet”.
        And for a lot of people, including POC, the conservatives will do that.

      • ME says:

        @ JustSayin’

        Justin was supposed to lower taxes but instead raised them for the middle class. I think everyone has had it and will just vote for whomever best serves them.

    • May says:

      Well, about climate change… the liberals bought a pipeline remember? The pipe has arrived in Calgary and it is going to be built. British Columbia won’t be able to stop them.

      • ShinyGrenade says:

        Re : Me claiming that the Liberal raised teh taxes.
        It have been proven to be wrong. It is garbage spin by the torries. https://ici.radio-canada.ca/nouvelle/1296199/la-verif-impots-familles-canadiennes-classe-moyenne

        BTW, some of us are happy to pay for taxes, to get more services. Like a national gov insurance for medication.

      • ME says:

        @ ShinyGrenade

        Obviously everyone should pay taxes because YES it’s worth it for the benefits all citizens in Canada receive. There is no arguing that. Thanks for the link but it’s in French and my French is pretty bad lol. I’ll use Google and educate myself more. The problem is there is so much misinformation out there !

      • Scotchy says:

        Us British Columbians will keep fighting and will try. We will try to stop this/slow it down as much as possible, because it will leak and it will cause catastrophic damage to heavily populated areas as well as waterways.

  2. Devon says:

    This is going downhill really fast.

  3. Antipodeangirl says:

    To be fair, it was a long time ago.

    To be unfair, I always thought he was way too pretty to be a PM.

    • Who ARE These People? says:

      Only uglies will do, eh?

    • ME says:

      Hmmm would you say the same thing had it been revealed he sexually harassed 3 women back in his teens and at the age of 29? I bet not. Different rules for different people I guess.

    • SilentStar says:

      Speaking of too pretty, have you seen Jagmeet Singh’s video of how he ties up his long hair under his turban? Holy hotness! Now that’s some pretty PM material right there.

  4. Sierra says:

    It seems to me that Democrats are expecting their people to be flawless.

    Republicans/Far right are using that to their advantage and winning.

    If Republicans can accept such a horrible human being such as Trump just to win then Democrats can accept someone who made some mistakes in their lives.

    I am not Canadian or American but people are falling for the Republicans games and it’s sad to see.

    • OriginalLala says:

      Just an fyi since you’re not Canadian or American – There are no Republican or Democratic parties in Canada. Trudeau is the leader of the Liberal Party. Andrew Scheer is the leader of the Conservatives

      You are totally right though 🙁

      • Ictoan says:

        You’re correcting someone but you don’t even know the names of our federal parties yourself! There is no federal Progressive Conservative party and there hasn’t been for 16 years. Scheer leads the Conservatives.

      • OriginalLala says:

        yes I noticed my mistake right after and changed it! really no need to be rude, I was just trying to help the OP. yeesh.

      • Ictoan says:

        Forgive me for sounding exasperated, but you’re not the first person I’ve seen making this error now that it’s election time, and it’s usually done as the setup to the same joke that you made (about not really being “progressive”). It just gets old after a while. Apologies for phrasing my correction in a rude manner.

      • OriginalLala says:

        no problem 🙂 I actually don’t know why i even wrote Progressive Cons because I was literally just talking about the name situation with a colleague a few days ago who made that same lame joke – brain fart I guess! I blame it on the extra stress since the photos of JT came out

      • Who ARE These People? says:

        I for one appreciate that this came up. I hadn’t realized they’d dropped “Progressive” from the name.

      • Pineapple says:

        I think they should go ahead and change the name again … The Regressive Conservatives. XO

      • Jay (the Canadian one) says:

        @Who Are These People: they didn’t drop it from the name. They aren’t the same party. The PCs imploded years ago. The Reform Party took their place as the go to party for the right wing. They absorbed the surviving PC ministers and briefly renamed themselves the Canadian Reform Alliance (Party). Then they changed their name again the next day to the Conservative Party after the headline debuted “New Party is CRAP”. (I’m not making this up. Google it if you don’t believe me.)

    • Esmom says:

      I don’t think Dems/liberals expect their candidates to be flawless, but they do have higher standards than the conservatives, who clearly have none. Certain things should be dealbreakers. But because nothing is for right-wingers, they always have the advantage. I feel like a big turning point was when the Access Hollywood tape came out and Trump survived completely unscathed, while Billy Bush (not that he was a liberal or a candidate) was pretty much destroyed.

      • Who ARE These People? says:

        More to the point, that Trump survived and all the women who accused him of sexual assault were ignored or derided.

    • Brunswickstoval says:

      Sierra so well said. In Australia we just voted back in the worst government and Prime Minister EVER please Canada if the alternative is as bad as people are saying please allow your liberal politicians their imperfections and don’t allow the worst to happen to your country.

  5. Aims says:

    I’m surprised this didn’t come out sooner. Have people lost their minds? It’s never ok to paint their faces. Really disappointed.

    • FHMom says:

      I remember being at a college/university costume party in the 80’s. Some jerks showed up in black face. They were asked to leave. Students were upset and downright hostile to see these guys. I can’t believe anyone thought this was ok.

      • Prairiegirl says:

        I’m old enough to remember that time a group of teenagers dressed up in blackface to perform as the Jackson 5 in a high school lip sync contest. They were suspended for a week. This was at a private high school. In the Canadian prairies. In *1985.* (It was at my school, kids a grade ahead of me.)

        This isn’t and hasn’t been ok for a long, long time now.

    • Who ARE These People? says:

      It’s so disappointing but not surprising. I’m a bit angry that Trudeau didn’t just deal with this earlier, maybe when the whole Ralph Northam, Virginia governor, thing came out — it would have been the right thing to do, and more politically strategic as well. Did he really think this would not come out? It underscores that to him it was really no big deal.

      Also, people had these photos for a while. The release timing was strategic.

      The whole thing sucks, and I’ll still vote to try to keep the Conservative party out of government. I’m more concerned about people in the present day.

      I also hope the Liberals are strongly considering getting themselves a new Leader. He’s just lost so much credibility.

    • Spicecake38 says:

      This.I said on here yesterday that in mid nineties in HS in US,some stupid guys showed up to school in black face for Halloween costume day.It was small town ignorant environment,but they were immediately made to leave.
      This is just bind boggling to me.For all of the stupid and or insensitive things I have ever done it’s never even occurred to me to paint my skin another color,because…it’s effing wrong and we knew then and know now that it.is.wrong.
      Can’t believe how many young people are being found out to have behaved in such a disrespectful way in today’s world.They/we all know better.

    • leskat says:

      I had this exact argument with my mom last night when she said “well it was part of a costume” and I had to tell her that that doesn’t matter. It’s never ok. I even went as far to talk over my mom when she tried to give her arguments that Trudeau was someone from Aladdin and he was dressing up as someone else. NOPE. Still not ok. Skin color isn’t a costume.

      • Spicecake38 says:

        Yeah I have had to really think back/self reflect so to speak and consider the whole costume thing.Obviously it’s still wrong,and I’m not making excuses but I will say that there was a time when people were dumb enough (sometimes)to actually think it’s okay if you are trying to look like someone else.Like,would it be bad if we painted ourselves extra *white*and dressed as madonna or as Paris Hilton.IDK-something just screams wrong!racist!-when someone goes so far as to paint themselves to look like a whole other ethnicity.No matter what or how ignorant their intentions-people must be taught to never do black face,or skin darkening to dress up,it reeks of insensitivity-ignorance-disrespect-racism.

      • Myrtle says:

        This whole “for a costume” argument is making me question if it’s even okay for men to dress up as women, for a costume/comic effect. Perhaps with the exception of drag queens and gender fluid folks, not okay? IDK. It’s complicated.

    • Blue36 says:

      From what I’ve seen from journalists is that the conservatives had this piece of information for many months now, they were very strategic in when to release and especially to who

  6. OriginalLala says:

    If Scheer (Trudeau’s main challenger) gets in, the problem won’t be cultural appropriation, it will be cultural annihilation. I’m terrified for this election.

    • CommentingBunny says:

      Same. Let’s not let the quest for perfect get in the way of better-than-Scheer. Easy for me to say as a white woman, I know, but Scheer will be a disaster for climate, women’s rights, LGBTQ+ rights, and multiculturalism.

      This is my favourite take:
      https://twitter.com/JoshuaSealy/status/1174780461643681797?s=09

    • Juliette says:

      Me too. As bad as this is and its pretty bad, If Scheer gets in we are in real trouble. Harper did such damage and AS would take us right back there.

      War on science, environment, equal rights. He compared gay people to 5 legged dogs and is friends with known alt-right people. I’m pretty nervous about election day tbh

    • LAB says:

      I’m an Albertan with regressive Kenney as our premier. (Whom I DID NOT vote for fyi). I fear a Scheer-Ford-Kenney triangle. They want to take us back to the stone age. Since coming to power in Alberta they’ve rolled back so much and still no budget. If it happens federally it’s going to be a disaster.

      • Odessa Nguyen says:

        Oh man, as an Alberta it’s terrifying. Please, please Canada. Hold your nose and vote strategically. Alberta is in for 4 years of pain.

    • Godwina says:

      Well said, Originalla.

    • Alice says:

      Lynda? lol

  7. B says:

    This seems to be some reoccurring party trick.

  8. Mia4s says:

    Yep, awful…..and I am still voting Liberal.

    For those outside Canada, you have no idea how bad his closest (Conservative) challenger is. NO idea. Remember what’s happened under Trump? Boris Johnson? That idiot in Brazil? Yes, I’m serious. Is Trudeau still our best (And only) viable option? Sadly….. YES!!!

    I would prefer to see someone else take the reigns of the party, but either way. God, this sucks.

    • HK9 says:

      It sucks-but I’m with you.

    • Tammy says:

      Yep, still voting Liberal. I’d rather see someone else lead that party (and always have) but better him than the Conservative alternative. We don’t need that homophobic, racist, xenophobic garbage here and I’m terrified that left leaning Canadians will throw away their vote. Conservatives and Republicans are absolute masters at overlooking far, far worse scandals than this one but historically Liberals seems to want their candidates to be perfect unicorns. And I say this as someone personally impacted by racism – I’m not letting this one go out of privilege. It IS a big deal and a massive error in judgement, but as someone wisely said above – better past cultural appropriation than future cultural annihilation!

      • Arpeggi says:

        Yup. I can vote NDP (and will, my riding is a very safe NDP one that used to belong to the Bloc), but while this is the hundredth proof that JT is clueless privileged white boy, I’d rather be govern by a privileged kid who has been oblivious of his own bubble multiple times than by a party with ties to the Proud Boys and other neo-nazi groups. Scheer is just as terrifying as Mike Pence and many in the party are bigots and xenophobe. Also, as a scientist working in Academia, I sort of like it when there’s funding for research and that the granting evaluation process doesn’t change at the last minute… So way, clueless Trudeau is still better than Scheer and there are more annoying things about JT than this (like not going forward with the election reform, buying a pipeline while pretending to be eco-friendly and doing nothing for the indigenous people)

      • Scotchy says:

        My riding in BC is NDP and I will continue to vote NDP because at this moment all I can hope for is a minority government. This beige Canadians vote is not throw away and perhaps if more people voted for the best candidate and not out of fear we wouldn’t have this false sense of turning Canada into this two party system.
        The only that is unfortunate for me is I am on the west coast and thanks to first past the post my vote in the grand scheme of things has not weight.

    • Charfromdarock says:

      This. Scheer is actively courting the yellow vests and the likes of Faith Goldy and Ezra Levant Not to mention his record in the House and the party policy on Women and LGBQT rights.

      The Conservations swung hard right when they merged with the Reform.

      I don’t support Trudeau or his actions but I will support the Liberal party this time. I actually prefer the NDP candidate ( and live in a historical NDP riding) but voting NDP will only split the vote in favour of Harper 2.0.

      • joanne says:

        I’m in total agreement. It’s too late to get a new leader for the Liberals in this election. We must avoid a Conservative victory at all costs.

      • OriginalLala says:

        I’ve been a card-carrying NDP member since i was old enough to vote but this election I am voting for the Libs for the first time (our MP is Liberal and I respect the hell out of him for the work he has done in our riding since 2015).

        I am not a fan of Trudeau, but Scheer is flat-out awful.

    • Amanduh says:

      Agree! They have done far more good than evil.

    • ShinyGrenade says:

      Same. I used to vote NDP, under Boradbent, Jack Layton and Tom Mulcair. I did last elections.
      But will be votting Liberals, even if I don’t like them that much.

      I’m a public servant working in official languages and Harper’s government was terrible. Phoenix mess? HARPER. Cuts in lot of programs = HARPER. Will be even worst with Scheers, as he is even more socially Conservative. Back bench MPs have claim they gonna try to present private bill to make abortion illegal and stop gay marriages.

      So. ABC. (Anything but conversatives).

      Hopefully, nutcase Maxime Bernier will be able to divide vote from the right.

    • manda says:

      If it weren’t absolutely petrifying that the world is being led to its destruction by buffoons, then it would be comforting to know that we aren’t alone in electing one. I had no idea that canada might get one soon too 🙁

  9. Jen says:

    This might be awful but I would still trade #45 for Trudeau in a heartbeat. Less than a heartbeat, actually.

  10. Lara says:

    If some of them were from high school are people not looking at the teachers at the time who thought this was ok or even encouraged it??

    Not that I am excusing him

    • Tuntmore says:

      This is a great point.

      Sometimes kids don’t have the best role models at home. Teachers, principals, school counselors, etc., should be educating students on diversity and respect.

      I grew up in the Deep South in the 1980s, but my little town was very diverse. I never saw anyone wear blackface — they probably would have been beaten up by both white and minority kids. Even when kids wore costumes of people/characters who were different ethnicities, they didn’t paint their faces. It’s not that terribly hard to foster a culture where children realize that things like blackface are inappropriate and hurtful.

    • Who ARE These People? says:

      He taught in a private school, if that lends clarity to the privileged context in which he worked.

      Still voting against the Conservative party. They’re terrible people. I live in Ontario, and the Conservative government under Doug Ford has been shredding education, health care, protections for the poor and other vulnerable people, environmental supports, environmental regulations, and more. We have 3 more years of this s&^t and it will be hard to recover.

    • Badrockandroll says:

      In the last chronological blackface picture (the first to be “leaked”), Trudeau WAS the teacher. He was 29 at the time. He is the son of a former Prime Minister. His maternal grandfather was also a politician and his paternal grandfather was very rich. He grew up in a very public and very privileged life. Despite all his advantages, he is a weak leader, and not very shrewd. He was in part selected for dynastic/nostalgic reasons, and in part because it was time to flip out the incumbents.

      The Liberals, his family party, often refers to itself as the natural party of government in Canada. I live in a rural agricultural area in Canada, and one of the reasons why it will always return a Conservative Member is because the voters here perceive an arrogance and an entitlement within the Liberal party. There have been countless scandals in the Liberal party, oodles of corruption and complacency, and none of it ever sticks. The best thing Trudeau can do is resign so that his party doesn’t have to deal with this nonsense, and can go on to concentrate to beat Scheer.

      • Lara says:

        Oh I totally get that about the photos of him when he was a teacher but I thought some were from when he was himself in school?

        Again, really not excusing this. I think it is awful.

  11. Life is Cheese says:

    He loves cultural appropriation. All the times he has worn Indian clothing… I don’t think he is racist but just loves to dress up. And apparently not smart enough to know blackface is not ok! I grew up in the 70’s in Texas and would never have thought black or Brownface was ok. He is just an idiot.

    • Who ARE These People? says:

      I think you’re onto something. To him, it’s been dress up. It should never have been, because some dress up is not harmless, but he was who he was and more important, he grew up the way he grew up. I’ve been okay with him as my PM, but he is a bit of a princeling.

  12. Shana says:

    Oh so that’s why Ivanka and Melania salivated when they saw him – they sensed the oh so familiar racist gene

    • Who ARE These People? says:

      It’s more that he is real good-looking and charismatic, and look at their husbands. They haven’t visibly lusted after Jeff Sessions or Mike Pence…

    • Rosalee says:

      Trudeau is not a racist. If he was a racist he would have closed the borders, instead we welcomed refugees and witnessed a growth in Canadian pride. Sadly we also saw in rise of neo-nazis and white supremacy groups and photos of Andrew Scheer with leaders of groups who denounce immigrants, Indigenous people and members of the LGBTQ community. We saw a rise in hate crimes and yet we saw Elizabeth May, Jagmeet Singh and Trudeau march together in a Pride Parades. I just signed up to drop pamphlets for two Libéral candidates and calling members of the community and ensuring every Indigenous person who comes into my office will vote. I don’t care if they vote Green or NDP but I want them to vote. I love my country and if it’s between a white privileged man with a blind spot verses a man whose only job experience outside of politics was selling insurance. I’m going with Trudeau..we can work on his privileged blind spot. But for our country to slide back into the dark ages is simply unacceptable. I have noticed the majority of the people who are outraged are not POCs – it’s amusing to see so many Caucasian people arguing about what is racist – we know what racism and bigotry is since we deal with it on a daily basis. Save your outrage for the white supremacist groups gaining a foot hold in our country. Use your outrage to ensure all children of colour have a level playing field in education direct your outrage for the men who have stolen our sisters. Don’t waste it on photos taken twenty years ago when a white privileged man thought it would be fun to wear face paint.

    • Sarah says:

      JT’s policies are FAR from racist. You are playing directly into the Cons/Repubs hands with this thinking.

      • Rosalee says:

        Horseandhound. Don’t be obtuse. We need new comers, we have a zero population growth without migrants. The influx of mass migration of Sikhs, Somalians, Vietnamese, Syrians, Bosnians, Croatians, Rwandans, in the past 40 years have vastly contributed to the economic growth of our country. I am sick of the so called old stock Canadians who make up the Conservative party. We need more political representation that actually reflects the cultural diversity of Canada. We obviously cannot simply open borders but we must constantly remind the “old stock” they were once immigrants and we as in First Nations helped them survive when they first arrived.

  13. Raina says:

    I never got the joke on why people would do this. Its dumb AF. And multiple times? Ugh.
    And STILL I would die before I’d vote any conservative in. Nope. Nothing makes it worth it.
    Plus, they really only have Trudeau as a liberal?, Is there no one else? Is he the rain king or something

    • Lizzieb says:

      It’s too close to the election to have a leadership run. The only way I can see it is if his party encouraged jt to fall on his sword for the good of the party. Then people could vote liberal without voting for him personally. Great comments above. Know your riding. In an area that is an ndp sure bet I think it’s a viable way to go otherwise please take a deep breath and vote liberal to avoid the Scheer express.

      • Lizzieb says:

        Just adding to my own comment. we need the ndp in a strength position as mentioned. we would have a decent ruling government as well as a strong opposition. In my opinion we need to stop this particular batch of tories(conservatives). I think the liberals are still the best bet this time for party in power.

      • Who ARE These People? says:

        Canadian here, and endorse what Lizzieb said.

        My city is a conundrum, usually a safe Liberal riding but we elected Green for provincial parliament (Ontario). Worried that a Green swelling will override or take away from the Liberal candidate. Splitting the Left is a real concern in Canada, and I wish we didn’t have to worry about it.

        US persons: the Liberal party here is centrist, pro-business, moderate social. It is said to run to the left, govern to the right. The NDP, if you hear about that, is more like democratic socialism, more concerned with labour rights historically but it’s lost its way the past few years and doesn’t have an experienced leader. The Green party has only 1-2 seats in Parliament but, as in many other countries, is getting more attention. However, it’s far from being able to have any sway here at all at least in the present election.

        The Conservative party has become reactionary and right-wing, just as with the Tories, the Republicans, Likud, etc.

        Andrew Scheer, its leader, has no real accomplishments under his belt (not that that has ever stopped any politician from ascending in Canada) and has been openly anti-gay, allies himself with white supremacists (in Canada, Rebel Media, Ezra Levant, Faith Goldy), and supports the use of tax money for private religious schools (sending his own brood to one). His party is running a lot of ill-qualified people who have said and do say a lot of really disgusting things. In the present day, with a wide platform, in a political and policy context.

  14. JennErinMS says:

    I don’t keep up with Canadian politics (as it’s depressing enough just following things in America) so I have to ask our neighbors to the north. Is the Conservative leader comparable to Trumpelstiltskin? He sounds like he’s every bit as awful and it’s obvious why these photos are being released now. My thoughts and prayers are with y’all, the entire situation is a mess and I can only hope Canadians make the choice that is best for everyone in their country rather than a choice that is best for only some of the citizens.

    • Lizzieb says:

      Trump wannabee

    • Arpeggi says:

      He’s not comparable to 45 in the sense that he is literate and not senile. But he could be compared to Pence which is somewhat worst. And neo-nazi/white supremacist groups have been hovering over the Conservatives for a while now which is also bad news. Scheer is a bigot, he doesn’t really like LGBTQ+ or care about women’s right. The only silver lining is that Jason Kenney decided to run to be Alberta’s Premier instead of trying to run for head of the national Conservatives/PM position because Kenney is even worst. But yeah, I’ve never been a JT fan nor a Lib but if we have to choose between Scheer and JT, I’d rather have Trudeau

      • OriginalLala says:

        I am certain Kenney will try to be the Cons leader at some point. That will be some dark times

      • JennErinMS says:

        I sometimes think Pence is more dangerous than Trump and Scheer seems to meet that criteria also. I mean Trump is what he is. He’s a nightmare but he’s a nightmare who lacks cunning and intelligence. There is no hidden motive with him, you always know what he’s thinking or what idiotic plan he’s trying to enact. Pence, on the other hand, is smart (comparatively speaking), knows how to work the back channels to get what he wants, and understands how to get things done in DC. It’s not a great combination when you’re dealing with a bigot who loves fossil fuels, big corporations, and conversion therapy for people who are born attracted to the same sex.

    • Juliette says:

      AS is awful and would be the worst thing for us. He’s friends w known racists, doesn’t believe in the LGBTQI community having equal rights and there’s been mention of him reopening the abortion debate, the list goes on. Pretty much a younger but just as creepy Mike Pence. I’m terrified he’ll win.

    • Who ARE These People? says:

      Yeah, what they said, and scroll up for my earlier analysis too.

      Canada is a former British colony, what would anyone expect in terms
      of racism including treatment of its indigenous peoples?

    • Lady Keller says:

      I would compare him to Pence. On the surface he seems harmless, like bland oatmeal but when you start digging you find out how threatening he really is. At least Trump is up front about what he is, what you see is pretty much what you get.

    • oh_dear says:

      I think he is more like Romney – his faith guides his decision-making, he is embedded in an enclosed prairie (somewhat like a mid-Western) culture that are protective of their way of life (social conservatism), the oil industry, fiscal conservativism. He is a twat with no personality and sees himself as the ideal embodiment of what it means to be a good Christian family man.
      He lacks the bombastic nature of Trump, has no former business experience, has a stable marriage, etc.

  15. mellie says:

    I typically would give a teenager a pass on this because I’m in my late 40’s and thank God there wasn’t social media around when I was a teen (not because of this kind of stuff, but just general drunken stupidity), but kids are kids and we hope that they grow, change, learn and the teenage years are the time for that. Anywhoo…if you’re still doing this sort of thing in your 20’s-30’s that’s really a problem, IMO.

    • ME says:

      You really think an 18/19 year old doesn’t know what racism is?

      • mellie says:

        I’m not saying that at all (pretty sure I didn’t), but teens are easily peer pressured into doing things they might think is wrong, but go along with the crowd just to be funny, fit in, etc. We hope they all learn, grow up and out of it. Maybe he came from a social class where this was accepted and he honestly did not know. I don’t know. If he had done this when he was a teenager, never happened again, apologized profusely, I would certainly feel different about the situation than what I do now.

      • MeghanNotMarkle says:

        Depending on where they grew up, they may not. Seriously. Where I grew up this kind of thing would get a shrug, at most. I grew up believing some really backwards shit (though thankfully, my grandmother instilled in me at an early age that people are people, no matter their skin color or national origin) and it wasn’t until about my mid-late 20s that the fog started to lift. I could never be famous because so much dumb shit would be drug up, that I no longer believe to be right,

      • ME says:

        @ Mellie

        In each scenario Justin was acting alone in his racist black/brown face. No one else in the pics/video was doing it. I doubt it was peer pressure. Look, I’m not sure if you’ve ever been the victim of racism as I have throughout my life, but I don’t give teens a pass. They know better at that age. Just like a teen knows rape is wrong no? That drinking and driving is wrong no? All these things have victims. Anyways you have a right to your opinion but anyone who’s had to face racist a$$holes knows it’s hard to give them a pass when they clearly know it’s not right.

    • Valerie says:

      He’s a Trudeau, though. He is privileged but his parents were known for being liberal. Somewhere in all of that, he had to know that using another culture as a costume is racist. I believe his apologies to be sincere, but this is a sticking point for me.

      • ME says:

        If it had come to light that Justin had sexually harassed 3 women. Two as a teen and one at the age of 29 would so many be willing to turn a blind eye? I bet not. It’s easier to see the victimization when you can see yourself as the victim. I will never give this dude a pass.

  16. CynicalCeleste says:

    Can we also talk about his hand on her chest for a moment ? Also creeping me right out.

  17. ME says:

    Doing brown/black face so many times you’ve lost count? That’s disgusting. Justin if anything is a hypocrite. You can’t do sh*t like this but then preach to Canadians about tolerance and acceptance. He just seems so fake. He also never kept his campaign promises. I hate how people are defending his actions. If this was Trump or ANY other person you guys would be outraged but because it’s pretty boy Justin let’s forgive him. Yeah no.

    • Juliette says:

      Not forgiving him for it he apologized and has done many things in Canada to show that he has grown and matured. The same can’t be said for Scheer. It was terrible, racist and stupid but he has demonstrated in his actions since that’s not who he is.

      It’s terrible and I wish there were more choices but Andrew Scheer is the worst.

    • Who ARE These People? says:

      If you read through today’s comments as well as yesterdays,you will see that most people are not defending or forgiving his actions. Rather, they are saying they would support his party holding government because the alternative party and its candidate, the Conservatives and Andrew Scheer, are openly bigoted in the present day and their policies would actively hurt vulnerable and minority communities across the board.

      We know Trudeau has his problems. We’re not forgiving because he’s pretty. And it’s not ours to forgive. We’re trying to hold in our disgust, be pragmatic to save this beautiful country and its reputation, and then probably try to get the Liberals to find a new leader.

      • ME says:

        I wasn’t talking specifically about this website. I was talking about on-line in general and on the news. So many are shrugging and acting like it’s no big deal. ANYONE else who did the same would have been crucified.

  18. Jessica says:

    If he weren’t a politician and needed by Canada to avoid a Dumpster that we have here in the US, I would say this privileged POS is … a racist POS. I’m about his age-ish and I’ve never thought it would be funny or cute to don blackface. The thought NEVER crossed my mind. What’s wrong with this man that he found it so amusing to don black/brown face at essentially any and every party he attended? It’s not funny. I’m not cute. It’s racist.

    • Who ARE These People? says:

      It is, and Canada has deep racist roots, and he is a child of massive privilege who grew up in a, certain white context, in Quebec. What’s wrong with him is that + vanity.

      You’re right that we need him to avoid a worse fate. And if his party wins the election, he will have to work even harder to salvage his reputation.

  19. Stef says:

    Canadian here.

    This is clearly an election stunt by the Conservatives to try and debunk the Liberals. Someone has had these photos nd video for a long time. We all know as Scheer is a bad Harper clone and is unpopular. I think a lot of people will vote Liberal this election as a way to strategically manage the election away from the Conservatives.

    As for the blackface, it’s terrible and I’m glad this type of thing isn’t acceptable anymore. I’ve had friends do it in our twenties at Halloween parties, but usually for a specific character like Foxy Cleopatra, not as a general costume for a specific culture. Doubt that makes it any better but it did happen 20 years ago. It’s a bad look for JT but I’d still take him over Drug Ford, Scheer, or Trump anyday…

    • Who ARE These People? says:

      Same thought here on the timing, plus the release in US media first.

      Trudeau should have headed this off when the Ralph Northam thing came up.

    • Molly says:

      “acceptable anymore”….was it ever?

      • Stef says:

        I think acceptable is relative here.

        If JT thought it was unacceptable in 2001 in his community, he wouldn’t have done it. Myvfri new did it in 2002/2003 in a very racially diverse community in East Van.

        Clearly, it’s not acceptable today and I’m so glad for that. It’s frankly sad that it was accepted 18-20 years ago. Some people need to live and learn.

        The fact that this has come to light now is convenient for the campaign. I can’t stand Scheer, he’s a more oatmeal clone of Harper and has alignment with the disgusting Trump. He will destroy as Premiere…

  20. Maria says:

    I believe Trudeau will still win the election, if only with a minority government. I can’t believe Sheer could win, but then I never thought Trump could win either.

    • Who ARE These People? says:

      And people didn’t think Rob Ford would win, and people didn’t think Doug Ford would win…

  21. EviesMom says:

    Still voting liberal. The alternative is so much worse in real time.

    • Who ARE These People? says:

      Glad to see I’m not the only one who feels this way.

      CB, send us all some clothespins!

  22. KatV says:

    It’s really educating to read this page. The news broke here in my country yesterday, and I saw some facebook comments. 95% believed that people reacting to this were oversensitive, that he shouldn’t apologize, compared this to dressing up as Elsa from Frozen etc etc. I was quite shocked but apparantly I live in a rather ignorant country after all….

  23. Mego says:

    This is very disappointing.

    Wonder why the photos didn’t emerge in the first election. Guessing someone made a profit off of them.

  24. American/independent voter here…it just blows me away that, with millions of people here (in the US) that meet the legal requirements to run for office, and there is such an abundance of shite to choose from.

    • JennErinMS says:

      My father has always said that the people who would make the best politicians are too smart to run for office. I tend to believe him, especially when I look at many of the politicians currently in office. Unfortunately people with morals and ethics who have a genuine desire to help others would be chewed up and spit out in the circus that is politics because they don’t fight dirty and they try to play fair.

  25. Coincidental says:

    Canadian here. CANCEL JUSTIN TRUDEAU. Most corrupt PM in Canadian history with SMC Lavalin, made a woman his scapegoat after professing to be a feminist, blocked RCMP from investigating his crimes, and many instances of black and brown face costumes?’ CANCEL! How can anyone think he’s the least terrible of the other candidates?!

    • Valerie says:

      lol, in all of Canadian history? Did you sleep through history class? Harper, Chretien, McKenzie… Or the treatment of Indigenous people under past PMs? Not that Trudeau is doing anything to keep his promises to Indigenous folks, but there are others more deserving of the ‘worst ever’ title.

      • Coincidental says:

        He’s made history in his term for blocking RCMP, corruption, protecting a corporation from prosecution, interfering with prosecutorial independence. He cannot be re-elected if we want a free nation that we can continue to improve. Liberals would have a better chance if they put Jody Wilson Raybould up. Trudeau has done everything he can to silence her but she should lead the party. JT is everything that the Liberal party is supposed to be against in actions. He only gives everyone lip service. He’s white privilege personified, male privilege, anti women (JWR), pro big business (protecting SNC Lavalin), and racist.

    • Lady Keller says:

      Have you read the comments here? Most people here aren’t endorsing or forgiving Trudeau, but let’s face it the Liberals are still better than the Conservatives. Singh is the only other candidate who has even the remotest chance, and let’s be honest, that is never going to happen. Best thing would be if the liberals got in then immediately voted for a change of leadership. They really can’t do it before the election, but clearly they need a new leader. Much as I dislike the man the thought of a majority conservative government scares me.

    • OriginalLala says:

      Coincidental – please read some Canadian history books before you go all in with the hyperbolic comments. And while you are at it, please read up on Andrew Scheer and the Cons ffs, they are running literal fascists and white supremacists

    • Valerie says:

      If we want a free nation, Scheer is absolutely not the way to go. He’s Trudeau’s competition, and if he wins, we’re fucked.

    • Pineapple says:

      Coincedental … Most corrupt PM? Do you remember Brian Mulroney? Do you pay 8% Goods and Services Tax on EVERY good and service you purchase??????? He was vile and hated when he left, brought in a huge tax the whole country hated and … wait for it … was a “let’s lower taxes” Conservative. If only large groups of humans had a good memory, no one would ever vote Conservative again. Most corrupt PM? Justin? Not by a looooooooooong shot.

  26. Valerie says:

    Here’s the thing: Scheer has clear ties to white supremacist groups. He is anti-2SLGBTQ+, preferring the supposed ideal of the white, nuclear family. He’s just a mess. Trudeau is not perfect by any means, as his recent actions have shown, especially in his treatment of Indigenous people. Under Scheer’s rule, I’m afraid we’ll turn into a version of the US.

  27. carol lindsey says:

    Is it too much to ask for a non racist, non sexist, progressive leader who has a do-able plan for the climate crisis and the economy?

    Do better, politicians. This is truly ridiculous.

  28. Valerie says:

    You think that Scheer will march in wearing a yellow vest and make the lives of people of colour easier? Really? I’m not a Trudeau stan, but he is far better than the alternative.

  29. Kitten says:

    Oh FFS how hard is it to just NOT do black face?!?!? Like, how is this a thing that people don’t know?!?!?

    That being said, please vote for this turd, Canadians. The alternative is just too terrifying.

    • LahdidahBaby says:

      Yes. As we have learned here.

    • FuefinaWG says:

      We’re talking 18 + years ago. People were not talking about this at that time. Do I find it offensive? Yes, I do, but people should think about what they did under the age of 30 that they wouldn’t want anyone to know about because they’ve matured into someone who wouldn’t do that today.

  30. intheknow says:

    Black woman here voting for Scheer. I do not accept JT’s apologies nor am I buying into the anti scheer propaganda.Black Canadian here voting strong and hard for Scheer.
    I keep hearing about ‘gay rights’, ‘war on science’ ‘no more abortions’ blah blah blah, but what I don’t hear about is how racism wears down and destroy POC mentally, psychologically, financially, emotionally. ‘

    So nope, until I can go about my life and just live without fear and racism and microaggressions, I am voting in a way that benefits ME just like most white liberals always have. They have used panic and fear to get POCs to vote for their agenda and in the end, POCs don’t benefit or make ANY gains or progress. Our indigenous peoples are still suffering (something JT said he would do something about…to date, nothing). I am sick and tired of Liberals using POCs as pawns and puppets. And it is time POCs wake up and realize what’s what.

    So I am voting because the tax cuts will benefit me and I get to keep more of my money. And while money doesn’t make all the racism go away, it surely does make life A LOT easier. I can’t imagine how much more life much suck for poor POCs.

    POCs should use their vote, vote for the PCs and send the Liberals a message that their lack of action will no longer be acceptable. Better the devil that is out in the open than the one hidden in the shadows. Can’t fight what you can’t see.

    So every time I hear (especially from white women) that they will continue to vote for JT becaus same sex rights, abortion issues, etc..fine. But know that that tactic isn’t going to work on someone like me. Using fear to to buy my vote while not giving a shit about what POC face every day.

    I have been calling and speaking with all my family and friends (both blacks and whites) since this mess and pushing them to vote for the Scheer.

    I’ll give a shit about all this other stuff when I don’t need to deal with racists crap EVERY SINGLE DAY. I can’t change or hide the colour of my skin. Gay people can pretend to be straight (not saying it is right, or it is what they should do to be safe). I don’t need abortions – so don’t care if it is made legal or not. As for the environment, well, it wont matter how clean the air is if I am still being vilified and hated for something I can’t change…my skin colour.

    My white Jewish relatives and I talk about this ALL the time. And one thing one of my older relatives said to me was…’ my skin is white, I can change my last name to something very Anglo sounding, I can HIDE, you can’t’. He said to me when I was a kid and I will never forget. And he wasn’t wrong.

    Until I don’t have to work 10x as hard to prove I am smart or smarter…I don’t give a crap about anything else. Until I can walk into any store or anywhere really without being followed around…I don’t give a crap about anything else.

    So those who keep going on and on about gay rights, abortion rights..I am not judging you. Vote for what benefits you as you’ve always done. Just know I will be doing the same and as many people I can reach, I will asking them to vote to benefit themselves vs voting and waiting to be rescued by white liberal saviours.

    • Kitten says:

      You feel how you feel, ya know?

      But I am genuinely curious what Scheer will do to benefit people of color. From what I understand, Trudeau has done much better for POC but has Scheer made any inroads with his platform?

      • Jaded says:

        Unless her breast is up by her throat…uh, no it isn’t. He’s not getting a pass for this, he has apologized sincerely, let the voters make their decision on what he’s done or not done for the country, not based on a 20 year-old photo of him making as ass of himself.

      • Jaded says:

        Sorry Kitten, my other post appeared where it shouldn’t have – ignore. That being said, Scheer works with numerous candidates who have made racist, homophobic comments in the past and says that as long as they apologize, he’s fine with that. Dafuk?! Then there’s the latest video from Rachel Willson (Conservative candidate from York-Centre in Toronto) banging on enthusiastically about her anti-abortion views.

        Then there’s the Conservative candidate for Mississauga-Streetsville, Ghada Malek. She was blocked from running as a provincial candidate for the Conservatives in the 2018 election because of her extensive sharing of homophobic, transphobic and anti-Muslim postings on social media. Scheer has twice publicly defended Malek, saying she has apologized for her comments and that he accepts her apology. She remains the candidate in that riding. On Friday Scheer accepted an apology from his Brampton North candidate, Arpan Khanna, for a homophobic social media post from 2010. AND despite the controversy, Scheer visited Khanna’s campaign office on Friday night, stood by him for a rally, and the pair went door knocking together.

        I’d rather vote for someone who has shown again and again that he is inclusive in every way. Scheer is protecting and promoting people who have behaved much more despicably, in much more recent days, than Trudeau dressing up in black-face costumes 22 years ago before he was even IN politics.

        Rant over.

    • Lizzieb says:

      I can’t imagine much improving under a Scheer regime. And yes I do mean regime. All the best. Still think you will regret your vote. But best of luck.

    • OriginalLala says:

      Scheer is a white supremacist, who is running white supremacists as candidates but sure, he will definitely, magically, not be a racist PM.

      • Lizzieb says:

        So agree originallala. Its not just him but the others with him that are frightening. And to have them be so open about their supremacy ideas….and have people think that sounds just fine…mind blowing

      • otaku fairy... says:

        Exactly.

    • Tangie says:

      @in the know THANK YOU! You’ve stated it much better than I could. I feel like we should be friends IRL. For those of you still claiming Trudeau has done more for POCs or those who say Sheer is a white supremacist, you’ve just outed yourselves as white supremacists. You’re doing your part to enable and hold up the system too. You’re just “nice” about it. You’re getting a taste of what POCs get all the time and you’re freaking out about. It’s just business as usual to us. I’d rather take my racism overt so I know who my enemy is than covert and stabbing me in the back like you all. To each their own and best of luck to all of you on the battlefield. I’ve chosen my side and I choose none of you. #blackpeoplegoingtheirownway

    • Stef says:

      I’m surprised any person of colour would vote Scheer. He’s aligned himself with white supremisists, he’s against women’s reproductive rights and will likely take our country backward if elected.

    • Scotchy says:

      As a brown Canadian I am very curious as to why you think your Conservative MP would be the best choice for you? I mean Scheer is against us in all aspects so why would you vote so against your best interests? The Liberals aren’t the only party. Is your NDP candidate garbage? Your Green Candidate garbage? All I can hope is that you are making truly the best decision for the future of your community and not just out of rage. I mean I vote NDP because our MP has always been amazing for the community and has fought for our community. Our candidate is currently Singh and he will get my vote. Do I think he is the best no. I do know he follows the party line and the NDP is right for my very diverse riding. At least you are voting, but I would be wary of voting for a vocal white supremacists has a party full of evangelical white supremacists. That never ends well for us.

      • JustSayin' says:

        She wrote why she’s voting for him.

        “So I am voting because the tax cuts will benefit me and I get to keep more of my money. And while money doesn’t make all the racism go away, it surely does make life A LOT easier.”

    • Pineapple says:

      intheknow … do yourself a favour and read The Sixth Extinction by Elizabeth Kolbert. It won the Pulitzer Prize. You will have lower taxes, your grandkids will drown … but whatever, you do you.

    • Purplehazeforever says:

      American here & clueless about Canadian politics. I can tell you about the sh*t storm that is Trump though. Many people voted with their wallets in 2016 & many regret it unless they are the 30% that make up his base. Trump’s an absolute nightmare. Reading these comments, I’m not sure there’s much of choice for POC. There’s no else besides Trudeau or Scheer?

  31. Dorothy says:

    I could care less he came clean. And he hasn’t done it recently – unlike Merrill Streep #Cough

  32. Impromptu says:

    Has nobody noticed that in the second image he has his hand on a woman’s bare breast?
    Why is he getting a pass for this? He is so entitled and the world is laughing at us- – yes I am Canadian and I am ashamed.

    • oh_dear says:

      He’s not. It is being talked about a lot on Alberta talk radio as well.

      For those interested in a really thoughtful read, the Toronto Star has one – the reporter (Vinay Menon) suggests the real problem with Trudeau is that he is a farce. He has claimed to be an ally but continually shows the ways he is not, claimed to be worldly, continues to show his ignorance, claims to be a feminist but repeatedly dismisses women, etc. He continually dresses himself up in costume for the crowd in front of him.
      The reporter suggests that if the fashion industry claimed shoes were problematic Trudeau would show upto his re-election barefoot.

  33. He’s embarrassed that’s why he cant bring himself to admit the number of times he’s done black/brown face. People have made terrible choices/ mistakes in the past. The important thing is he’s evolved and I believe changed. He embraces diversity and he’s not a racist. He definitely has my vote. As a black Canadian I accept his apology.

  34. Molly says:

    I don’t understand this at all. Trudeau and I are of the same generation (not that age makes it right) and he should know better…WTF…it’s racism

  35. Ninette says:

    I just do not wanna heard about this Trudeau person anymore. Hope he looses the next election.

  36. dreamchild says:

    I would like to sincerely ask white folks, what is up with the blackface? Why is it so intriguing. I’m a Black woman and I’ve dressed up in costume portraying white icons such as Madonna and Cher and I never thought to “white” my face. Why not portray the Icon particular style with just clothes and hair? This is not to inflame or shame I’m just truly curious.

    • Jensies says:

      Wish I could tell you. I was just thinking that, somehow, I’ve managed to live all 39 years of my life without once doing black/brown/yellow face. And it honestly has not been difficult to not do this.

      I think it comes down to not really having a culture other than whiteness. To experience some sort of grim satisfaction at wiping that makeup off, revealing white skin. It’s all gross.

      • dreamchild says:

        @Jensies Thank you for your thoughtful reply. I wondered if it was the satisfaction of wiping it off and thinking thank God I’m white, then turn around and deny racism exists. It is really gross and baffling and very sad. It appears for some it is easier to hate than love. I have to believe love will triumph.

      • Odessa Nguyen says:

        Yah I’m white, married to a visible minority, and never in my life would it have seemed like a good or fun idea to wear black face. However, growing up I and many other kids my age dressed up in an aboriginal costume for Halloween. I still see a ton of aboriginal appropriation in Alberta and it’s pretty disheartening. I recently read an article for music teachers about how a lot of the music we teach in the classroom has problematic roots. It was not hard to make small changes in my teaching to adjust to changing times and being sensative to cultural appropriation.

        What is most disheartening about this whole thing is all the people still saying “what’s the big deal” and making the costume and Halloween bullshit excuses. And don’t get me started on people saying “white face” is the same thing.

    • kerwood says:

      Unfortunately, there are a lot of White people (not ALL, but A LOT) whose existence depends on being White. For a lot of people, that’s all they’ve got going for them. So being able to demean and degrade Black people is VERY important. It’s been passed down from generation to generation and it doesn’t look like it’s ever going to go away.

      One would think that there is no need for a man like Justin Trudeau, with all his advantages and privileges, to have to resort to Blackface. His father, Pierre Elliot Trudea is one of the architects of multiculturalism in Canada. He’s probably the greatest prime minister that Canada has ever had and was internationally respected. The fact that his son would stoop so low is mind-blowing to me. Something is clearly missing in Justin’s character. I’m glad his father didn’t live to see this because he would be so ashamed.

      The only positive thing in this shitstorm is the leader of the Conservative Party, Andrew Scheer, is such a horrible human being that even THREE instances of blackface, is NOTHING in comparison to his racism and homophobia. The Conservatives are choking on the fact that they can’t go after Trudeau they way they would like to because Scheer’s got so much shit on his plate.

      If the Liberals win, even a minority government, I’m sure there will be a leadership conference soon after and Justin Trudeau will be shown the door. He can spend the rest of his life trying to atone for this disgrace, but not as the leader of MY COUNTRY.

    • KatV says:

      I have no idea why people would do this. However, I live in a Nordic country, and well, people here are mainly white, nothing wrong with that, but 95% of the reactions I have seen to this photo have been the opposite of this page. People think it’s too much, that you should be able to dress up at any time. I’m actually quite shocked that they don’t know better, but apparently they really have no clue why this is offensive.

  37. FuefinaWG says:

    How many times does someone have to apologize for doing something stupid? Only a few because then we’ll just black-ball you (pun not intended), burn you in effigy through social media, and then vote someone else into power because we haven’t heard about their stupidity’s yet.

  38. Bc says:

    What excuse is there for blackface in 2001???? Has any person of colour ever sung at karaoke and painted themselves white? Blackface carries with it the implications, attitudes and mentality towards black people from the slavery days. That black people are less than, that they are caricatures, subhuman objects for white people to laugh at. He is racist and disgusting and honestly so is anyone that supports him. As another comment pointed out, if this was about him sexually harassing a woman, about him molesting kids, about him using a gay slur, he would’ve been cancelled – PERIOD. But no, since it’s just abt black people, IN THE 21ST CENTURY MIND YOU(!), who cares, right? POCs are always complaining anyways, right? What’s racism anyways? “That doesn’t affect me”, is what I’m getting from a lot of these comments that start of like “its disappointing but….”
    Bottom line, there’s always a choice. Voting for Trudeau is a choice. Voting for an independent is a choice. Ignoring an injustice just cause it doesn’t affect you, just cause you do not suffer its consequences in everyday life, is a choice. It may not be a choice you care for, but it’s a choice.

  39. kerwood says:

    Jesus. White folks need Black people so much that if none are around, they PRETEND to be Black themselves.

    I’ve never been at a Black party where someone has said, ‘you know what would REALLY liven things up? Some White folks.’.

    If they need us so bad, why do they keep treating us like shit?

  40. JRenee says:

    Where was this the 1st time he ran for office?
    This is unreal, timing is not coincidental either. Good grief how many more incidents were there?

  41. Bkittyb says:

    Since when does being a liberal white person equate to not being racist or doing racist things? Liberal white people are some of the most tone-deaf, self-righteous, whitesplainers and white tear producers on the earth. So many times instead of fighting the racism they detest, instead they let it slide, post on social media about it or disengage from those who do it. Do they stand up and correct their peers? Do they use their privilege to make the racist in the room uncomfortable instead of taking on that energy themselves?

  42. Mego says:

    Had a discussion about this with a woman as we left church this morning. She tried to argue that the blackface was ok because it was a costume party. Ignorance around this is widespread. I told her firmly that blackface is never ok and what JT did on more than one occasion is disturbing and points to his character. Frankly between that and what happened with Jody, Jane and other women, he is a very problematic person.

  43. SarahB says:

    Trudeau is a Harvey Weinstein – Super woke and liberal in public, but when no one’s looking, a total degenerate pig. Good riddance to him.

  44. Dougie says:

    I’m in no way religious, but ‘judge not, lest ye be judged’. I in no way endorse this behaviour, but most politicians are scum, it’s almost expected. The Conservative guy is a well known anti-gay and anti-abortion advocate. Do I now think Trudeau is anti-minority because of this? No, he’s just stupid. And I’m sorry to say that I will take stupid over an outright, well known, hateful bigot every day of the year.