A closer look at the most debated and controversial moments involving Justin Trudeau.
Justin Trudeau is the 23rd and current Prime Minister of Canada, holding office since 2015. He is also the leader of the Liberal Party, a position he has held since 2013. Trudeau's tenure as Prime Minister has been marked by a focus on social justice issues, including the legalization of cannabis and investments in social programs. His government has also addressed issues such as climate change and reconciliation with Indigenous peoples. Trudeau is the son of former Prime Minister Pierre Elliott Trudeau.
1985: Jaspal Atwal Assault Conviction
In 1985, Jaspal Atwal was previously convicted of the assault on former BC premier Ujjal Dosanjh.
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1986: Jaspal Atwal Shooting Conviction
In 1986, Jaspal Atwal was previously convicted for the shooting and attempted murder of Indian Cabinet minister Malkiat Singh Sidhu.
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August 2000: Kokanee Summit Incident
In August 2000, at the Kokanee Summit, Justin Trudeau was accused of groping an unnamed female reporter.
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2001: SNC Lavalin Bribes Started
Between 2001 and 2011, SNC-Lavalin allegedly paid CA$48 million in bribes in Libya.
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2001: Brownface Incident at Arabian Nights Gala
In 2001, Justin Trudeau wore brownface makeup at an Arabian Nights-themed gala while he was a teacher at West Point Grey Academy.
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2002: Criticized Government Avalanche Warning System
In 2002, Justin Trudeau criticized the Government of British Columbia's decision to stop funding a public avalanche warning system.
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October 2006: Criticized Quebec Nationalism
In October 2006, Justin Trudeau criticized Quebec nationalism, describing political nationalism as an "old idea from the 19th century" and not relevant to modern Quebec.
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2010: Comments Made About Albertans
In 2010, Justin Trudeau made comments about Albertans controlling the community and socio-democratic agenda.
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2011: SNC Lavalin Bribes Ended
Between 2001 and 2011, SNC-Lavalin allegedly paid CA$48 million in bribes in Libya.
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November 26, 2012: By-Elections Held During Leadership Campaign
During the leadership campaign, three by-elections were held on November 26, 2012. A week before, Sun Media reported on comments Trudeau made in 2010 regarding Alberta.
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November 2016: Criticism for Fundraising Tactics
In November 2016, Justin Trudeau faced criticism for his fundraising tactics, seen as "cash for access" schemes where attendees paid for access to him and cabinet members.
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January 2017: Trudeau's Welcome to Canada Tweet
In January 2017, Justin Trudeau posted a tweet welcoming those fleeing persecution, terror, and war to Canada, stating, "Diversity is our strength #WelcomeToCanada."
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January 2017: Ethics Investigation into Bahamas Vacation
In January 2017, the ethics commissioner initiated an investigation into Trudeau's family vacation to Aga Khan IV's private island in the Bahamas.
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December 2017: Ethics Commissioner Finds Trudeau Violated Conflict of Interest Act
In December 2017, the ethics commissioner's report concluded that Trudeau violated four provisions of the Conflict of Interest Act regarding his Bahamas vacation.
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February 2018: Invitation to Khalistani Nationalist Sparks Criticism
In February 2018, Justin Trudeau faced criticism after his government invited Khalistani nationalist Jaspal Atwal to a dinner party in Delhi.
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2018: Trudeau Questioned About Groping Incident
In 2018, Justin Trudeau was questioned about the alleged groping incident from 2000 but stated he did not remember any negative incidents from that time.
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2018: Saudi Arabia recalls ambassador and freezes trade
In 2018, Saudi Arabia recalled its Canadian ambassador and froze trade with Canada in response to Canada's call for the Saudis to release opposition blogger Raif Badawi.
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February 8, 2019: Allegations of Interference in SNC-Lavalin Prosecution
On February 8, 2019, The Globe and Mail reported that the Prime Minister's Office allegedly attempted to influence Attorney General Jody Wilson-Raybould regarding the SNC-Lavalin prosecution.
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March 19, 2019: Justice Committee Investigation Shut Down
On March 19, 2019, Liberal committee members voted to shut down the Justice Committee's investigation into the SNC-Lavalin affair.
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August 14, 2019: Ethics Commissioner Report on SNC-Lavalin Affair
On August 14, 2019, the ethics commissioner's report concluded that Justin Trudeau contravened section 9 of the Conflict of Interest Act in regards to the SNC-Lavalin affair.
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September 2019: Brownface and Blackface Scandal
In September 2019, controversial pictures and video were published showing Trudeau in brownface and blackface, leading to widespread criticism and apologies.
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September 18, 2019: Time Magazine Publishes Brownface Photo
On September 18, 2019, Time magazine published a photograph of Justin Trudeau wearing brownface makeup at an Arabian Nights-themed gala in 2001, sparking controversy and public apology.
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2019: Canada doubles weapons sales to Saudi Arabia
In 2019, Canada doubled its weapons sales to Saudi Arabia, despite a moratorium on export permits following the killing of Jamal Khashoggi.
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2019: Reports of Chinese Interference in 2019 and 2021 Elections
In 2019, Canadian media reported that the People's Republic of China had attempted to interfere in the 2019 and 2021 Canadian federal elections.
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2019: Public Inquiry into Foreign Interference (2019 Election)
In 2019, allegations of Chinese government interference prompted Trudeau to launch the Public Inquiry into Foreign Interference in Federal Electoral Processes and Democratic Institutions to investigate the 2019 election.
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July 3, 2020: Ethics Investigation into WE Charity Decision
On July 3, 2020, the ethics commissioner announced an investigation into Justin Trudeau's decision to have WE Charity administer a summer student-grant program.
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July 16, 2020: Ethics Investigation Expanded to Include Bill Morneau
On July 16, 2020, the ethics commissioner expanded the investigation into the WE Charity affair to include Finance Minister Bill Morneau.
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2021: Reports of Chinese Interference in 2019 and 2021 Elections
In 2021, Canadian media reported that the People's Republic of China had attempted to interfere in the 2019 and 2021 Canadian federal elections.
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2021: Public Inquiry into Foreign Interference (2021 Election)
In 2021, allegations of Chinese government interference prompted Trudeau to continue the Public Inquiry into Foreign Interference in Federal Electoral Processes and Democratic Institutions to investigate the 2021 election.
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January 15, 2022: Introduction of Vaccine Requirements for Truckers
On January 15, 2022, the Government of Canada introduced COVID-19 vaccine requirements for truckers re-entering the country by land, leading to the Canada convoy protest.
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February 14, 2022: Invocation of the Emergencies Act
On February 14, 2022, Justin Trudeau invoked the Emergencies Act for the first time since 1988 in response to the public order emergency caused by the Freedom Convoy demonstrations in Ottawa.
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February 23, 2022: Revocation of Emergency Declaration
On February 23, 2022, Justin Trudeau announced that the federal government would revoke the emergency declaration related to the Freedom Convoy protests.
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2022: Reports of Chinese Interference in 2019 and 2021 Elections
In 2022, Canadian media reported that the People's Republic of China had attempted to interfere in the 2019 and 2021 Canadian federal elections.
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2022: RCMP considered Criminal Charges
In 2022, it was reported that the Royal Canadian Mounted Police considered bringing criminal charges against Trudeau over the Aga Khan affair.
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February 17, 2023: Judicial Inquiry Supports Use of Emergencies Act
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 during the Freedom Convoy protests.
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May 2023: Report on Election Interference
In May 2023, David Johnston delivered a report describing China's interference as a danger to Canadian democracy and made recommendations for improvement.
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September 2023: Allegations of Indian Government Involvement in Nijjar Killing
In September 2023, Justin Trudeau stated that the Canadian government had credible intelligence suggesting the Indian government was involved in the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Canadian citizen.
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September 22, 2023: Yaroslav Hunka Incident in 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, was invited to the House of Commons of Canada and recognized, leading to widespread condemnation and embarrassment for Parliament and Canada. Trudeau apologized for the mistake.
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2023: Reports of Chinese Interference in 2019 and 2021 Elections
In 2023, Canadian media reported that the People's Republic of China had attempted to interfere in the 2019 and 2021 Canadian federal elections.
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May 2024: Preliminary Report on Foreign Interference
In May 2024, the public inquiry issued its preliminary report, finding that China engaged in foreign interference in the 2019 and 2021 elections, but it did not affect the outcome.
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June 2024: Appeal of Emergencies Act Ruling Planned
As of June 2024, the federal government planned to appeal the ruling that the invocation of the Emergencies Act to end the 2022 convoy protest was "not justified."
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November 20, 2024: Boissonnault Resigns Following Allegations
On November 20, 2024, Alberta MP Randy Boissonnault resigned following allegations that he ran a business seeking federal contracts and falsely claimed to be Indigenous.
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December 16, 2024: Chrystia Freeland Resigns as Deputy Prime Minister
On December 16, 2024, Chrystia Freeland resigned as Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, citing a lack of confidence from Trudeau.
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