Justin Trudeau’s resignation marks the end of a leadership defined by lofty promises and profound failures, none more glaring than his moral collapse over Gaza. As the humanitarian catastrophe unfolded in Gaza after October 7, 2023, Trudeau’s refusal to act decisively or uphold Canadian values of justice and human rights exposed the hollowness of his leadership. His inaction alienated Canadians and shattered public trust.
Since October 7, 2023, Gaza has become the epicenter of one of the most devastating humanitarian crises of modern times. Over 186,000 Palestinians, including thousands of children, have been killed. Civilian infrastructure has been decimated, leaving millions displaced, without food, water, or medical care. More than 90% of the population has been displaced.
At this critical juncture, Canada had an opportunity to assert its leadership as a defender of justice and human rights. Instead, under Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, the government chose a path of complicity and inaction, failing to meet even the most basic humanitarian expectations
Canada’s voting behavior at the United Nations since October 7 has demonstrated a weak international stance for human rights, marking yet another stance of moral failure. While Canada occasionally voted in the right direction, such as eventually supporting resolutions calling for a ceasefire, it has predominantly stood in the way of measures critical for Palestinian rights. Canada abstained from several key UN resolutions, including one critiquing Israel’s policies based on the International Court of Justice’s opinion. It also abstained from resolutions demanding Israel end its presence in Gaza and the West Bank, and from another enhancing Palestinian procedural rights. Under Trudeau’s leadership, Canada has exhibited a weak bystander persona with a reluctance to fully engage with the international community’s growing consensus on Palestinian rights.
While Gaza burned, Trudeau’s administration continued to allow military goods to flow to Israel under existing export permits. In 2023 alone, Canada exported $30.6 million in military goods, including surveillance technology and weapons components used in Gaza bombings. Despite pausing new permits temporarily in January 2024, many active permits remained, facilitating the flow of arms that contributed to atrocities.
Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly admitted to halting a single shipment of mortar cartridges after public outrage but failed to suspend broader arms trade, misleading Canadians about the scope of military involvement. This prioritization of political and economic interests over human life further exposed the Trudeau government’s moral bankruptcy.
Domestically, Trudeau’s endorsement of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) handbook had a chilling effect on Palestinian advocacy. By equating criticism of Israeli policies with antisemitism, this policy has stifled free speech and silenced voices calling for justice. Activists have faced vilification and suppression, raising fears about the erosion of Canada’s democratic principles under Trudeau’s leadership. Rather than defending the right to dissent, the government has opted to muzzle those seeking accountability for human rights violations.
Perhaps the most blatant example of Canada’s failure is its handling of Palestinian refugees. While the Trudeau government implemented the Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel (CUAET) during the Ukrainian crisis, expediting visas and resettling over 280,000 Ukrainians, with immediate access to housing, healthcare, and social services, it has done nothing comparable for Palestinians fleeing death and destruction in Gaza. Palestinians have received only vague promises of temporary visas from Canada, lacking a substantial or actionable plan for implementation.
Canada’s failure is magnified when compared to other nations’ responses. Spain suspended arms exports to Israel, prioritizing human rights over political alliances. Ireland and Norway called for immediate ceasefires and pushed for stronger international protections for civilians. Non-Western nations like Qatar and Turkey provided emergency supplies and advocated for Palestinian rights on global platforms. In contrast, Trudeau’s government abstained from critical UN resolutions, refused to halt arms deals, and failed to deliver meaningful humanitarian aid.
Trudeau’s failure to lead during the Gaza crisis will forever be a stain on his legacy, serving as a cautionary tale for future leaders about the price of moral compromise. His demise was not just political but ethical, and it underscores the urgent need for Canada to position itself as a principled voice on the global stage.
As Trudeau departs, his tenure leaves behind a stark reminder that rhetoric is meaningless without action, and that failing to stand for human life has real consequences—not just for those suffering abroad but for the moral fabric of a nation.
