The Big Story Examining Trudeau's legacy a day after he says goodbye
Mar 10, 2025
Jon Roe, a Research Associate at the Angus Reid Institute, dives into the legacy of Justin Trudeau, who recently wrapped up his term as Prime Minister. He discusses how public sentiment skewed negative, reflecting on challenges like the pandemic and economic issues. Roe explains recency bias in political perception while comparing Trudeau to Stephen Harper. He highlights Trudeau's mixed legacy—successes like legalizing marijuana versus criticisms on immigration and inflation—illustrating the growing polarization in Canadian politics.
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Trudeau's Legacy Perception
- About half of Canadians view Trudeau's legacy negatively, twice the number who view it positively.
- This aligns with recent economic struggles and major policy criticisms.
Mulroney's Legacy Shift
- Brian Mulroney's legacy improved after leaving office, contrasting with initial negative public opinion due to the GST.
- This highlights how recency bias affects immediate perceptions of leaders.
Trudeau and Harper Parallels
- Public opinion of Trudeau and Harper upon leaving office was similar, with around half viewing them negatively.
- Recency bias likely influences these perceptions, as seen with Harper, whose image has improved over time.