He speaks well but he can give off a goody-goody vibe. Probably still a decent guy to have a beer with.

His public appearances and photo-ops don't really bother me though. I'd rather that than some guy who the public never sees and is always formal. Not sure if I agree that his actions are done for benefit of himself or his own ego. I think he's trying to represent Canada well, and be transparent in his publicity, but could be coming off as a try hard, even if his intentions are altruistic. Hopefully "his" policies reflect that transparency.

I'm all for transparency and this is about as transparent as he needs to be both publican and in government. If he starts running around in his underwear and reveals information about Canada he shouldn't, THAN I'd say he's a nut.

We'll see SmileWavySmileWavy

At least we are having fairly agreeable discussion. Can't stand it when people just outright hate on him for basically nothing -- yet.

certainly not your average head-of-state behaviour. hanging with the plebs.
photo op? nah. the guy actually likes people. imagine that, if you will. : )

he was also held to account by Mr Downey. in a fine back-hand-style manner. this did not go unnoticed.

If he applied to run any company with more then 20 employees his resume would straight in the garbage; he has zero relevant education and a history of starting things and then quitting.

In the end it will be clear to all that he is not qualified for the job he has. And no amount of schmoozing with the working class and photo-ops will hide his shortcomings.

That pretty much sums it up,

Thankfully we live in a federal democracy. He's not the only one in charge of running the country. So far, he has demonstrated that he expects others with more experience to make decisions, and he has given them the latitude to do so. I didn't vote for him, but that is a massive and refreshing change of course from the previous government.

Democracy is optional now. Harper proved that. Decisions that should have gone to Parliament we made by Harper and only by Harper.

At least he is one a heck of a better choice than what the yanks have. ;)

wow, even Canadian political arguments are polite and about issues.

where is finestone, we need to drag this to parf with some insults pronto! this discussion about issues in a polite way cannot be allowed to continue!

As a yank, I haven't been following the political process up your way. But it does sound like even there candidates are successful in getting nominated with little background experience or real qualifications for the job.
Is it the celebrity thing that is so strong here?
People with strong name recognition or a public persona now are able to use that as a spring board to office.

As to the qualities of our current candidates for president. They are taking the concept of voting for the lesser of two evils to an unmanageable level.

Is this really the best we can do for candidates, really?

I'm especially saddened by the conservative end of the spectrum, who have been extremely vocal in their displeasure with this current administration.
And the Donald is what is offered as an alternitive?

Heaven help us if this is the best we can come up with.

Edit, C P, some folks are willing to try political discussion rather being stuck in argue mode, I know this may seem strange to Parfers

The interesting thing is that many politicians have little background experience or real qualifications for a job. Just because someone has "experience" or what looks to be a qualified background, doesn't necessarily make them so. Hell, a rational and unbiased thinker would have my vote over a career politician with what looks to be "experience". Their track record would have to be amazing for them to be considered qualified.

I think the people who are qualified and smart enough to do the job are put off by the nomination processes and the effort required to get to the top. Not to mention the low pay.

Having said that, Trudeau never paid his dues. Not in politics, not in the work force, heck he never finished what he started at University.

Riding on his father's coattails. But his father was much smarter.

never paid his dues? what a ridiculous notion.
he started paying his "dues" a long time ago. starting around the age of 1.
Pierre was pretty darn smart. that is for sure.

Pure truth. It is disgusting for the choices.
It is down to a nut on the left, or a nut on the right with a Johnson in the middle. Out of a couple of hundred million eligible citizens that is the best we can come up with?

The guy has a degree from teachers college, started a Masters, dropped out. Started engineering, dropped out. Taught primarily drama at a private school. Quit that job.

That's real leadership material there. No doubt he would still be the PM if his last name was Smith.

It's guess it's not easy growing up wealthy and privileged.

The fact he can be elected, or even considered electable, points to the dearth of political leadership in Canada.

I never knew that academic success was the indicator for a successful PM. Perhaps he didn't like those programs or occupations, and eventually found his way in politics like his old man.

His father served ten years on the Privy Council and was a professor on Constitutional Law at McGill. The similarity ends with the last name.

Justin may be great. We will know as soon as he does something.

How do you know nothing has been done??

I see him as being more his mother's son than his father's son. He and his dad are as different as chalk and cheese.

I'm sure there must have been battles between them as he was growing up.

The British diplomat assessments of Trudeau Sr., and others, were released today.

Hilarious.

Payroll scandal - no action, this is an enormous problem, all they do is say 'we have it solved', then it's not.

National Post headline today: Atlantic Canada beset by ‘astonishing neglect’ one year into Trudeau Liberals’ mandate

I could go on, but the corollary would be what has he done so far?

I believe he is China this week. Let's see what he does there with respect to canola oil.