By Jeff Carter

Anyone driving from Wallaceburg to Dresden along Highway 77 in Chatham-Kent is likely to notice a pair of signs proclaiming an area resident’s feelings for the current Prime Minister of Canada.
The first reads, “Trudeau must go” and the second a few hundred feet away repeats that message exactly, though one might suggest a bit of humour might have been used instead like “sooner better than later” or perhaps the question posed, “is it number one or number two?”
It was in the fall 2021, not long after Canada had extricated itself from the conflict in Afghanistan, that I spoke with a longtime member of the Liberal Party of Canada, one who had not only met the current Prime Minister’s father but was also acknowledged – a peck on the cheek – for her behind-the-scene contributions many years ago. At least that is what I surmised.
At the time of that discussion, Canada had already extricated its soldiers from their untenable position and was putting plans in place to do the same for Afghanis who had been supporting them as interpreters, drivers, and in other capacities. Unfortunately, days, weeks and months passed before much in the way of progress was made although other nations were able to act promptly.
Not a time of honour for Canadians.
As we touched upon the political situation in Canada at that time, I restricted my comment to the words, “I think he’s in over his head.”
Within a few months, members of the “freedom convoy” had settled in downtown Ottawa for a lengthy stay with hot tubs, barbecues and a bouncy castle, and there were protesters rallying at other locations, notably the border-point crossings at Windsor in Ontario and at Coutts, Alberta.
The national media were, at best, inadequate in their coverage, content it seemed at portraying the protesters as a homogenous group of Neanderthal knuckle draggers – or worse – but largely failing to pursue the obvious question, why were they there?
That point was made again some months later by a caller during CBC’s Cross Country Checkup, the host Ian Hanomansing seemingly at a loss for words. The convoy participants were obviously discontented though not solely due to Canada’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic. There are, I suspect, as many answers to the question as protestors, all of whom simply wanted to be heard.
Had our prime minister taken the time to listen, insisted upon listening, had a humility to listen, the extraordinary step of declaring a state of emergency would not have been necessary.
The invasion of Ukraine by Russia came on the heels of the protest. At the time, I wondered whether the timing might even be related. Afterall, Canada, is among the United States’ closest allies and if mired in civil discontent like its neighbour might be poorly equipped to respond.
The geopolitical situation hasn’t improved since. The war in Ukraine continues unabated as do other conflicts, in Myanmar, in Sudan and since October 7, 2023, in Israeli-controlled Palestine, not so much a war as a slaughter.
Meanwhile, little is being done to address the plethora of related crises impacting our world, climate change, food and housing affordability, forced migration, unrestrained capitalistic greed, and the growing disparity between rich and poor, even here in Canada. Governments meanwhile, appear content to pursue policies of division, rhetoric substituting for leadership. 
Will I be voting in Canada’s next federal election? Certainly. Do I know for whom I will vote? Not so much.
The obvious alternative to the Liberals for anyone looking for change – as so many Canadians are – is Pierre Poilievre and the Conservative Party of Canada. Contrary to a broadly held view, including among members of the media, the Conservative party does indeed have a set of proposed policies. Lacking in detail perhaps, but at least worthy of consideration.
Justin Trudeau has a choice to make as calls for him to step down from his role grow, even from within his own party. A new leader might be chosen, though anyone from his inner circle would be handicapped from the outset. An intelligent voice from outside that circle may be more appropriate, if only to avoid an absolute rout.
My preference is for the Prime Minister to not only hold firm, remain as Prime Minister, but cast the dice and call an early election. The honourable course to take. ◊