Major Controversies Surrounding Justin Trudeau: A Detailed Timeline

A closer look at the most debated and controversial moments involving Justin Trudeau.

Justin Trudeau, a Canadian politician, was the 23rd prime minister of Canada from 2015 to 2025. He led the Liberal Party beginning in 2013 until his resignation in 2025. Also, he served as a member of Parliament (MP) for Papineau from 2008 to 2025. Trudeau's tenure as prime minister was marked by various policy initiatives and challenges, solidifying his role as a key figure in contemporary Canadian politics.

Sections (6)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals

1988: Enactment of the Emergencies Act

In 1988, the Emergencies Act was enacted. Trudeau invoked the Emergencies Act on February 14, 2022, for the first time since it was enacted.

August 2000: Kokanee Summit Incident

In August 2000, Justin Trudeau attended the Kokanee Summit and was accused of groping a female reporter. He provided an apology, but later stated he did not remember any negative incidents.

2001: SNC-Lavalin Bribes

Between 2001 and 2011, SNC-Lavalin allegedly paid CA$48 million in bribes in Libya to officials in the government of Muammar Gaddafi.

2001: Trudeau wore brownface at Arabian Nights-themed gala

In the spring of 2001, Justin Trudeau wore brownface makeup at an Arabian Nights-themed gala while he was a teacher at West Point Grey Academy.

2005: Fought against proposed zinc mine

In 2005, Justin Trudeau fought against a proposed $100-million zinc mine that he argued would poison the Nahanni River.

October 2006: Criticized Quebec nationalism

In October 2006, Justin Trudeau criticized Quebec nationalism, describing political nationalism as an "old idea from the 19th century".

2010: Controversial comments from 2010 interview

A week before the November 26, 2012 by-election day Sun Media reported on comments Justin Trudeau had made in a 2010 interview with Télé-Québec, in which he said, "Canada isn't doing well right now because it's Albertans who control our community and socio-democratic agenda."

2011: SNC-Lavalin Bribes

Between 2001 and 2011, SNC-Lavalin allegedly paid CA$48 million in bribes in Libya to officials in the government of Muammar Gaddafi.

November 2016: Criticism for Fundraising Tactics

In November 2016, Trudeau was criticized by opposition members for his fundraising tactics, which they saw as "cash for access" schemes. Attendees paid upwards of $1500 for access to him and other cabinet members.

January 2017: Ethics Investigation Launched

In January 2017, the ethics commissioner, Mary Dawson, began an investigation into Trudeau for a vacation he and his family took to Aga Khan IV's private island in the Bahamas.

December 2017: Ethics Commissioner's Report Released

In December 2017, the ethics commissioner's report found that Trudeau had violated four provisions of the 2006 Conflict of Interest Act, making him the first prime minister to break the modern federal conflict of interest law.

February 2018: Invitation of Jaspal Atwal to Dinner Party

In February 2018, Trudeau was criticized when his government invited Khalistani nationalist Jaspal Atwal, previously convicted for the shooting and attempted murder of Indian Cabinet minister Malkiat Singh Sidhu in 1986, to the Canadian High Commission's dinner party in Delhi.

2018: Questioned About Groping Incident

In 2018, Justin Trudeau was questioned about the groping incident that occurred in August 2000, but stated he did not remember any negative incidents from that time.

February 8, 2019: Report of Alleged PMO Influence on SNC-Lavalin Prosecution

On February 8, 2019, The Globe and Mail reported that sources close to the government said that the Prime Minister's Office had allegedly attempted to influence Attorney General Jody Wilson-Raybould concerning an ongoing prosecution of SNC-Lavalin.

March 19, 2019: Liberal Committee Shut Down Justice Committee Investigation

On March 19, 2019, Liberal committee members voted as a bloc to shut down the Justice Committee's investigation into the SNC-Lavalin affair.

August 14, 2019: Ethics Commissioner's Report on SNC-Lavalin Affair

The commission's final report, issued August 14, 2019, concluded "Mr. Trudeau contravened section 9 of the Act" in regard to criminal charges against SNC-Lavalin in the SNC-Lavalin affair.

September 2019: Publication of blackface and brownface incidents

In September 2019, controversial pictures and video were published showing Justin Trudeau in brownface and blackface. Trudeau admitted to wearing blackface in high school and could not remember how often he had worn blackface makeup.

September 18, 2019: Publication of brownface photograph in Time magazine

On September 18, 2019, Time magazine published a photograph of Justin Trudeau wearing brownface makeup in the spring of 2001 at an Arabian Nights-themed gala. Trudeau publicly apologized, agreeing the photo was racist and saying he should have known better.

2019: Increased Weapons Sales to Saudi Arabia

In 2019, Canada doubled its weapons sales to Saudi Arabia, despite concerns over human rights issues and the killing of Jamal Khashoggi.

2019: Allegations of Chinese government interference in elections

In 2019, allegations of Chinese government interference in the 2019 Canadian federal elections emerged. A Public Inquiry into Foreign Interference in Federal Electoral Processes and Democratic Institutions was later called in response to these allegations.

2019: Alleged Chinese Interference in the Canadian federal election

In 2019, the People's Republic of China allegedly interfered in the Canadian federal election.

July 3, 2020: Ethics investigation announced into WE Charity ties

On July 3, 2020, the ethics commissioner announced an investigation into Justin Trudeau's and the government's decision to have WE Charity administer a student grant program due to the Trudeau family's ties to the charity. The program aimed to provide financial assistance to students during the COVID-19 pandemic.

July 16, 2020: Ethics investigation expands to include Finance Minister Bill Morneau

On July 16, 2020, the ethics commissioner expanded the investigation into the WE Charity affair to include Finance Minister Bill Morneau. This expansion came amidst scrutiny over the charity's ties to the Trudeau family and payments made to Trudeau's relatives for speaking engagements at WE Charity events.

2020: COVID-19 Pandemic Response and Other Policies

From 2020, Justin Trudeau responded to the COVID-19 pandemic by launching financial aid measures and a vaccination campaign. His government also announced a ban on "assault-style" weapons and introduced a national $10-a-day child care program.

2021: Allegations of Chinese government interference in elections

In 2021, allegations of Chinese government interference in the 2021 Canadian federal elections emerged. A Public Inquiry into Foreign Interference in Federal Electoral Processes and Democratic Institutions was later called in response to these allegations.

2021: Alleged Chinese Interference in the Canadian federal election

In 2021, the People's Republic of China allegedly interfered in the Canadian federal election.

2021: Another Minority Government and Emergencies Act Invocation

In the 2021 federal election, Justin Trudeau led the Liberals to another minority government. He then invoked the Emergencies Act in response to the Freedom Convoy protests.

January 15, 2022: Introduction of vaccine requirements for truckers

On January 15, 2022, the Government of Canada introduced COVID-19 vaccine requirements for truckers to re-enter the country by land, leading to the Canada convoy protest.

February 14, 2022: Invocation of the Emergencies Act

On February 14, 2022, Justin Trudeau invoked the Emergencies Act for the first time since it was enacted in 1988, due to the public order emergency caused by demonstrations in Ottawa.

February 23, 2022: Revocation of the emergency declaration

On February 23, 2022, Justin Trudeau announced that the federal government would revoke the emergency declaration related to the demonstrations in Ottawa. Later that day, the governor general signed a proclamation revoking it.

2022: Reports of Chinese Interference

In 2022, Canadian media reported that the People's Republic of China had made attempts to interfere in the 2019 and 2021 Canadian federal elections.

2022: Consideration of Criminal Charges

In 2022, it was reported that the Royal Canadian Mounted Police had considered bringing criminal charges against Trudeau over the Aga Khan affair.

2022: Russian invasion of Ukraine

In 2022, the Russian establishment leveraged the incident involving Yaroslav Hunka, a Ukrainian Canadian who fought in the SS Division Galicia of the military wing of the Nazi Party, the Waffen-SS, in the House of Commons of Canada to further its justifications for the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine.

February 17, 2023: Judicial inquiry concludes invocation of Emergencies Act met legal threshold

On February 17, 2023, a judicial inquiry into the use of the Emergencies Act concluded that the Trudeau government met the legal threshold required to invoke the act.

May 2023: Report on Election Interference

In May 2023, David Johnston delivered a report on election interference. It described China's interference as a danger to Canadian democracy, stated that some media reports were partially incorrect, and recommended improvements to counter the threat and protect members of Parliament.

September 2023: Allegations of Indian Government Involvement in Nijjar Killing

In September 2023, Trudeau stated that Canada had "credible intelligence" indicating the Indian government's involvement in the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, triggering a diplomatic row between Canada and India.

September 22, 2023: Invitation of Yaroslav Hunka to Parliament

On September 22, 2023, Yaroslav Hunka, a Ukrainian Canadian who fought in the SS Division Galicia of the military wing of the Nazi Party, the Waffen-SS, was invited to the House of Commons of Canada and recognized by Speaker Anthony Rota, receiving standing ovations from house members including Justin Trudeau and President Zelenskyy. Trudeau later apologized.

2023: Reports of Chinese Interference

In 2023, Canadian media reported that the People's Republic of China had made attempts to interfere in the 2019 and 2021 Canadian federal elections.

May 2024: Preliminary Report on Foreign Interference

In May 2024, the Public Inquiry into Foreign Interference issued its preliminary report, finding that China engaged in foreign interference in both the 2019 and 2021 elections, but the interference did not affect the ultimate result of either election.

October 2024: Announcement of cuts to immigration targets

In October 2024, as Canadians faced cost of living and housing crises, and as Justin Trudeau's unpopularity grew, he announced cuts to immigration targets in a video message.

December 2024: Plummet in approval rating

In December 2024, Justin Trudeau's approval rating plummeted to 22%, a significant drop from 65% in 2016.

2024: Federal Court rules invocation of Emergencies Act unjustified

In early 2024, Federal Court judge Richard Mosley ruled that the federal government's invocation of the Emergencies Act to end the 2022 convoy protest was "not justified" and infringed on Charter rights.

January 2026: Government appeal of ruling on Emergencies Act use lost

In January 2026, the federal government lost its appeal of the ruling that the invocation of the Emergencies Act to end the 2022 convoy protest was "not justified" and infringed on Charter rights.