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These upcoming data will also show that even though most in this country believe life won’t go back to the way it was pre-pandemic for at least another year, they’re more impressed than not by the way Justin Trudeau’s government has gone about securing doses of vaccine, and have confidence in the federal government to effectively manage the rollout.
It may well be the last big political win the pandemic will afford the prime minister. Because, undeniably, the worst health tragedy in a century to so indiscriminately strike Canadians, to take their loved ones and livelihoods away, has also been a political boon to Trudeau.
It started with the first daily briefings outside Rideau Cottage, where the prime minister was able to demonstrate with authenticity (remember Mme Grégoire Trudeau’s bout with the virus?) an empathy and resolve that carried huge resonance. His approval jumped a stratospheric 21 points between February and April of this year. A change in subject (WE Charity, anyone?) resulted in a quick and commensurate drop. A return to an almost exclusive focus on pandemic management saw his numbers rebound.
But remember, rien n’est éternel. There is a massive difference between “we’ve got your back” and “building back better.” The beginning of the pandemic’s endgame is already revealing all the familiar and banal ways this nation can and most probably will refracture. A first ministers’ meeting this week reverted to an age-old fight between the provinces and Ottawa over health funding. It ended not only without resolution, but with the premiers criticizing the prime minister.
