From Mr Dithers to Mr Flip-Flop

THE EDITOR, Madam:

On the evening of March 9, the Canadian federal parliament held a debate on the Iran War, but Prime Minister Mark Carney was absent. For once, he was not on one of his very frequent flyer junkets around the world, but reportedly celebrating Ramadan close-by in his suburban Ottawa constituency. This left his lacklustre and hapless Minister of Foreign Affairs in charge of the important debate, while refreshing our memories of former Liberal PM Paul Martin two decades ago.

His indecisive leadership was ridiculed by The Economist which ran a 2005 article titled: “Mr Dithers and his Distracting Fiscal Cafeteria”. Opposition Conservative MPs were delighted to thereafter use that “Mr Dithers” moniker during parliamentary debates. Although Mr Martin had gained a solid reputation as Minister of Finance prior to his elevation to PM, he was ill-suited in the top job. Fast forward 21 years, with an acclaimed Central Banker and Wall Street financier in Mr. Carney, a neophyte entering Canadian politics at the very top, when he replaced very unpopular and disgraced Liberal PM Justin Trudeau last year.

Prior to entering politics Mr Carney was also UN Special Envoy on Climate Action, and had always praised Canada’s carbon taxes as being very efficient, even writing so in his book about 5 years ago. Yet to gain votes, he stole the Conservative’s “Axe The Tax” slogan, and did away with the contentious and long-standing federal Carbon Tax.

Since his election there have been several similar flip-flops, mainly on crucial foreign relationships. He was elected on a promise to use a firm grip in dealings with US President Donald Trump, who had openly ridiculed his predecessor. However, meetings in the White House and at the G7 meeting in Canada, showed Mr Carney heaping praise on Mr Trump as a transformational president, while appearing totally subservient. He had accused China of being the greatest threat to Canada’s security, yet flew to Beijing a couple of months ago to join in a strategic partnership. When Israel and the US launched their bombing mission on Iran, PM Carney was one of the first to offer his full-throated support, yet two or three days later was stating that diplomacy was the only answer.

Another disturbing turn-around that have become so frequent in Mr Carney’s short tenure as PM, as Canadians get unpleasant and worrying flashbacks from Mr Dithers to Mr Flip-Flop.

BERNIE SMITH

Parksville, BC

Canada