Tru-do's and Tru-don'ts: A review of Justin Trudeau's PR wins and losses
The Huffington Post characterized Justin Trudeau's government as the "least productive in decades," and a Maclean's report card declared he's just getting started on fulfilling over 200 campaign promises, but here at Chatelaine, we're assessing year one by his real priority: photo ops.
Trudeau's zealous public relations campaign, which brought near daily pics of Trudeau boxing, running around shirtless or otherwise keeping things real, has been mocked by eye-rolling Opposition politicians. But if the international press is any indication, Trudeau's sunny ways are winning over hearts and minds (and sparking many a meme.)
But the PM he isn't perfect. Not even Photoshop and a swarm of staff could save him from making a few gaffes. Here's a roundup of the biggest PR Tru-do's and Tru-don'ts from the last year.
Trudeau: Dos and Don'ts
DO: Show your pride
Trudeau participated wholeheartedly in celebrations across the country, including Toronto's pride parade in July, where he appeared to having more fun than any human ever.
DON'T: Drop the mic
In an attempt to smack talk Prince Harry, Prez Obama and others in the lead up to the Invictus Games, the PM made a video to demonstrate "how Canada brings it." But an unsynchornized mic drop between awkward push-ups killed the macho message.
DO: Snuggle pandas
Cuddling balls of cuteness is never a bad PR move.
DON'T: Elbow your colleagues
Impatience over MPs stalling the vote on the physician-assisted dying bill led Trudeau to storm a crowd of MPs in an attempt to pull Opposition whip Gordon Brown out of the fray. Too bad he managed to inadvertendly elbow NDP MP Ruth Ellen Brousseau. Here's a tip, Justin: channel passion into words, not angry-walking. And maybe have a snack to avoid workplace hanger.
DO: Charm the royals
We're not sure if Will was taken by Trudeau, but Kate was definitely "enjoying the view in Canada."
DON'T: Shake more than one person's hand a time
Trudeau bungled this photo opp with Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto and U.S. President Barack Obama in Ottawa in a truly unique way.
DO: Welcome Syrian refugees
The PM greeted Syrian refugees at the airport in Toronto last December, along with Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne. And Trudeau wasn't just there for the photos — he made sure their welcome was warm by handing out teddy bears and parkas.
More:
The sperm donor who lied — and the couple that's fighting back
Here's what winter will look like across Canada this year
How to carve a Trudeau pumpkin for Halloween
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Sadiya Ansari is the author of In Exile: Rapture, Reunion, and My Grandmother’s Secret Life.
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