Trudeau’s government has been held up as a bulwark of liberalism given the surge of anti-immigration populist candidates and parties in Europe and the United States. However, two leadership candidates in the Conservative race have sought to ape the political style and policy agenda that brought Donald Trump to power in the United States. Mainstream Canadian political actors are seeking to either counter or benefit electorally from rising distrust in government, fears over immigration and integration, and communitarian focus on Islam within right-wing politics.
Opposition to the Trump presidency may help unify fractious left-leaning Canadian voters behind the Liberals.
However, the social-democratic New Democratic Party will cite Trudeau-Trump cooperation to peel off progressive voters.
Alienation of anti-immigration Conservatives will increase under libertarian or pro-business leadership.
