Source: Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images

A Crumbling Paradise.

On a work trip, I land in the New York city of Toronto. The Canadian metropolis shares many parallels with New York, but unlike the American megalopolises, it stands out for its cleanliness and the lower presence of homeless individuals.

I am picked up in an Uber by Diego, a Mexican who has been living in North America for eight years. In 2017, after Donald Trump's victory, he decided to leave the United States for fear of the immigration policies of the then-president and moved to Canada, a country that, under Justin Trudeau's government, maintained an open borders stance for immigrants. However, Diego tells me that, despite this openness, economic conditions have become increasingly difficult.

Currently, he drives an Uber for eight hours a day but needs two other jobs to make ends meet. “Rent has gone from costing between 1,500 and 1,700 Canadian dollars to almost 2,500,” he tells me. This increase has caused many middle-class families to face serious economic difficulties, a situation that has become widespread across the country. In Canada, unlike Latin America, there are no popular settlements or low-quality neighborhoods, so those who cannot afford housing in large cities must choose between moving to the interior or, in the worst case, ending up homeless. Additionally, the availability of extremely potent drugs is a growing problem in the northern part of the continent.

Diego also mentions the country's strict anti-discrimination laws. According to his experience, a person can face prison sentences of four to five months for committing discriminatory acts in public, whether it be sexually assaulting a woman or denying the identity of a transgender person. “If many figures from the government of La Libertad Avanza were in Canada, they would probably be in prison,” he comments.

The housing crisis has also been exacerbated by migratory growth, especially due to an increase in Indian immigrants who have populated much of the cities. This high demand, combined with scarce investment in real estate infrastructure, has led to skyrocketing rent prices in Toronto and other major urban areas. Diego, who has lived in Canada long enough to perceive these changes, highlights the difference between Canadian reality and that of Latin America. “The truth is that with what I earn here, I would live much better in Mexico,” he confides.

The Political Crisis:

Justin Trudeau has faced one of the deepest political crises of his mandate in recent months, resulting from a buildup of scandals, economic crises, and government decisions that have eroded his popularity. What began as a refreshing and progressive image in 2015 has, over time, turned into a questioned, weakened leadership with growing opposition both within and outside his own party.His resignation is the outcome of years of wear and tear, marked by ineffective economic management, an unprecedented housing crisis, and the anger of broad sectors of Canadian society.

One of the first blows to his credibility occurred in 2019 with theSNC-Lavalin scandal, when it was revealed that his government pressured the Attorney General to avoid legal action against an engineering company accused of corruption. The controversy affected his image of transparency and commitment to public ethics, raising doubts about his true intentions. However, the final wear and tear arrived with themanagement of the COVID-19 pandemic and his response to the truckers' protests in 2022. The imposition of strict vaccination mandates and the freezing of bank accounts of protesters were interpreted by many as an abuse of power and a violation of individual freedoms, consolidating his detractors and boosting the conservative opposition.

This was compounded by an increasingly deep economic crisis. Soaring inflation, rising living costs, and the unaffordable price of housing hit especially hard on young people, who were once his main base of support. With stagnant wages and historical high rents, frustration became evident in polls, where his popularity plummeted to record levels. The situation worsened with his immigration policy, which, although it benefited economic sectors in search of workers, generated additional pressures on the housing market and public services, increasing discontent among the middle and working classes.

Internally, the Liberal Party also began to fracture. Criticism from key figures within his own team and the lack of a clear strategy to reverse the crisis led to increasing questioning of his leadership. In an attempt to regain trust, Trudeau adopted a more combative tone, presenting himself as the only one capable of facing the country's challenges. However, for many Canadians, this came too late. The lack of concrete solutions and growing support for the opposition made his stay in power unsustainable.

Tensions with NAFTA.

Since the beginning of Donald Trump's administration, Canada, along with Greenland and Mexico, has been in the spotlight of major world media due to the tariffs imposed by his government. The resurgence of nationalism and discontent among Canadians led to scenes where American products, such as whiskey, were pulled from supermarkets in the large metropolises of the French-speaking country for the first time in its history.

One of the main points of conflict has been the Republican administration's decision to apply a 25% levy on cars and key components for their manufacture imported from other countries. The measure, which will come into effect on April 2, has been rejected by Canadian authorities. In this context of growing trade tension, Trump warned this week that he could impose even higher tariffs on Canada if he considers their policies harmful to the U.S. economy. From Canada, Prime Minister Mark Carney described Washington's tariff policy as a“direct attack,” reinforcing the atmosphere of confrontation that dominates bilateral relations.

Before his resignation as Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau held a press conference filled with tension and firmness. In his speech, he called the tariffs imposed by the United States an “unnecessary and unjustified” decision, accusing Trump of using fentanyl as a mere excuse to justify protectionist measures. Trudeau announced the immediate implementation of reciprocal tariffs of 25% on key imports from the United States and confirmed that his government would challenge Washington's decision before international bodies. In a striking moment of his intervention, Trudeau directly addressed the U.S. President, simply calling him “Donald,” emphasizing the years-long relationship between the two leaders while also marking distance from the White House's decision. The former Prime Minister announced the immediate implementation of reciprocal tariffs of 25% on key imports from the United States and confirmed that his government would challenge Washington's decision before international organizations. Additionally, he delivered a direct message to American citizens, warning them that their own government was jeopardizing jobs and the economic stability of both countries. With an energetic tone and appealing to Canadian nationalism, the Prime Minister made it clear that his country is willing to resist and respond with all available tools.

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