In pictures | A look back at some of the ups and downs of Justin Trudeau’s governance

A look back at some of the highs – and sometimes lows – of Justin Trudeau’s governance

“Because it’s 2015”

November 4, 2015. Justin Trudeau arrives at Rideau Hall with his wife, Sophie Grégoire, and children for his swearing in as 23^e Prime Minister of Canada. They are followed in this great march by his ministerial team, 15 men and 15 women: the first gender-balanced cabinet at the federal level. It was then that he launched his famous line “because it’s 2015”, in response to a journalist who had questioned him about the reason for this parity.

Reception of Syrian refugees

Of New York Times to the BBC, via Paris Match et GQ : images of the Prime Minister’s reception of the first group of Syrian refugees went around the world in December 2015. Even though they arrived in the middle of the night, Justin Trudeau wanted to be present. “I thought it was the right thing to do, as Prime Minister, to be there to receive them on behalf of all Canadians,” he later confided to The Press. In the space of 100 days, Canada opened its doors to nearly 25,000 refugees fleeing war.

“Three Amigos” Summit: Awkward handshake

Which hand to shake, which hand to extend? This triple handshake went around the world for its awkwardness. The imbroglio took place in Ottawa in June 2016, during the North American Leaders Summit, an event renamed the “Three Amigos” Summit. Fortunately, after a few seconds of confusion, US President Barack Obama and Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto left the photo opportunity laughing.

Controversial outfits

Justin Trudeau’s outfits have often made headlines. The Prime Minister’s official visit to India certainly made an impression. The Trudeau family has drawn criticism for wearing multiple traditional Indian outfits. A few months later, Justin Trudeau will be splashed when the American magazine Time will publish a photo of himself taken during a costume party which took place under the theme “Arabian Nights”. Then aged 29, he presented himself there wearing a turban, his face, neck and arms painted brown.

G7 summit in Charlevoix: Trump leaves by denying the agreement

June 2018. The G7 Summit chaired by Canada in La Malbaie ends with a bang. Insulted by comments from Justin Trudeau on Washington’s customs tariffs, American President Donald Trump left Charlevoix, denying the communiqué ratified just a few hours earlier. He then describes Trudeau as “weak”, “docile” and “dishonest”. However, the day before, President Trump had praised the Canada-United States relationship.

A reign marked by the global pandemic

Canadian emergency benefit, record deficits, race for vaccines: Justin Trudeau’s reign at the head of Canada will always be marked by his management of the COVID-19 pandemic. Here, the Prime Minister receives his first dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine in April 2021 at an Ottawa pharmacy. Tens of thousands of Canadians have died after contracting COVID-19.

Embarrassing ovation

The Trudeau government was plunged into embarrassment in September 2023 during the visit of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to Ottawa. Presented as a hero of the Second World War, a Ukrainian veteran receives a standing ovation from Canadian elected officials and senators. However, this man was part of a Nazi unit. The Speaker of the House of Commons, Anthony Rota, will leave office in the wake of the scandal.

Canada, “51^e État » ?

Justin Trudeau is the first G7 leader to secure a meeting with the President-elect of the United States, Donald Trump. In late November 2024, he took part in a meatloaf dinner at Mar-a-Lago, Mr. Trump’s residence. The visit to Florida was intended to dissuade him from imposing 25% tariffs on Canadian products. It was during this meeting that Mr. Trump first made the “joke” of wanting to make Canada the “51^e State” of the United States.

Trudeau in the ring

Occurring almost three years before his election as Prime Minister, the famous boxing match where Justin Trudeau defeated Senator Patrick Brazeau is still seen today as a pivotal moment in his political career. During his resignation speech, the Prime Minister himself recalled his image as a fighter before leaving the political ring. “As you know, I am not someone who backs down easily from a fight […]. It has become clear that I cannot be the leader in the next elections because of internal battles. »