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--:-- Ryan Knutson: Welcome to The Journal. I'm Ryan Knutson.
--:-- Jessica Mendoza: And I'm Jessica Mendoza.
--:-- Ryan Knutson: Today, we're talking about the resignation of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. He's been in power for nine years and has been a dominant figure in Canadian politics.
--:-- Jessica Mendoza: That's right. Justin Trudeau has been a global standard bearer for progressive politics, but his popularity at home has diminished in recent years. He's been dealing with a combination of scandals and economic challenges.
--:-- Ryan Knutson: Let's start with the significance of this moment for Canada. Vipal, our colleague, has been following this story closely. What's your take on it?
--:-- Vipal Monga: I think it's extremely significant. Justin Trudeau has been a dominant figure in Canadian politics for a decade, and his resignation marks the end of an era.
--:-- Ryan Knutson: That's a great point. Justin Trudeau has been a polarizing figure, and his popularity has waxed and waned over the years. But what's behind his decline in popularity?
--:-- Vipal Monga: Well, there are several factors at play. One is the economy. Canada's economy has been struggling, and Trudeau's handling of it has been criticized. Additionally, there have been several scandals, including the blackface controversy and the SNC-Lavalin affair.
--:-- Ryan Knutson: That's right. The blackface controversy was a major blow to Trudeau's reputation, and the SNC-Lavalin affair raised questions about his judgment and integrity.
--:-- Jessica Mendoza: And let's not forget the economy. Canada's GDP per capita has been declining for eight of the last nine quarters, and the country is facing a housing shortage and affordability crisis.
--:-- Vipal Monga: Exactly. The economy has been a major challenge for Trudeau, and his attempts to address it have been criticized as short-sighted and ineffective.
--:-- Ryan Knutson: So, what led to Trudeau's downfall? Was it a single event or a combination of factors?
--:-- Vipal Monga: I think it was a combination of factors. The economy was a major challenge, and the scandals didn't help. But I think the final straw was the tariff threat from the US. Trudeau's handling of that situation was widely criticized, and it led to the resignation of his finance minister, Chrystia Freeland.
--:-- Ryan Knutson: That's right. Chrystia Freeland's resignation was a major blow to Trudeau's government, and it marked a turning point in his leadership.
--:-- Jessica Mendoza: And what about the implications for progressive politics in Canada and around the world? Vipal, you've written about this topic extensively. What's your take on it?
--:-- Vipal Monga: I think it's clear that progressivism is in retreat around the world. The post-pandemic environment has been tough for incumbents, and progressive governments have been particularly vulnerable. I think this is a sign that the progressive moment in global politics is over.
--:-- Ryan Knutson: That's a provocative statement. What do you mean by that?
--:-- Vipal Monga: I mean that the progressive movement has had its time in the sun, but it's being replaced by something that is in many ways a polar opposite. I think this is a sign that the world is shifting in a more conservative direction.
--:-- Jessica Mendoza: That's a fascinating analysis. Ryan, what are your thoughts on this?
--:-- Ryan Knutson: I think Vipal makes a compelling case. The progressive movement has been a dominant force in global politics for several decades, but it's clear that its influence is waning.
--:-- Vipal Monga: And I think this has implications for Canada and the US. Canada has been a leader in progressive politics, but it's clear that the country is shifting in a more conservative direction.
--:-- Ryan Knutson: That's a great point. And what about the future of progressive politics in Canada? Will the Liberal Party be able to recover from this setback?
--:-- Vipal Monga: I think it's unlikely. The Liberal Party is in disarray, and it's clear that the party needs a new direction. I think the Conservative Party is well-positioned to take advantage of this situation and win the next election.
--:-- Jessica Mendoza: That's a sobering assessment. Ryan, what are your thoughts on this?
--:-- Ryan Knutson: I think Vipal is right. The Conservative Party is well-positioned to win the next election, and it's clear that the Liberal Party needs to regroup and reassess its strategy.
--:-- Vipal Monga: And I think this has implications for the future of progressive politics in Canada and around the world. It's clear that the progressive movement is in decline, and it's unclear what will replace it.
--:-- Ryan Knutson: Well, that's all for today's show. Thanks for listening to The Journal.
--:-- Jessica Mendoza: And thanks for joining us.
--:-- Vipal Monga: Thanks for having me.
--:-- Ryan Knutson: The Journal is a co-production of Spotify and The Wall Street Journal.
--:-- Jessica Mendoza: And you can find more episodes and stories at wsj.com.
--:-- Ryan Knutson: Thanks for listening.
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