Rex Murphy and Jordan B. Peterson, YouTube, February 20, 2022
Discussing “alternative explanations” for the Liberal government’s invocation of the Emergencies Act in Ottawa this month, Jordan B. Peterson considers a psychological reason.
According to Peterson, because Trudeau’s father invoked the War Measures Act in response to the October Crisis in 1970, Justin’s invoking of the Emergencies Act is another attempt on his part “to prove his validity as a figure of masculine integrity” in the shadow of Pierre, performing a job he was never suited to take on. Peterson also ties the decision to implement the Emergencies Act to a belief that a far-right conspiracy had masterminded the Ottawa protest.
Father Trudeau, remarked Murphy, had “at least” when cornered by a reporter at the time, stayed to argue his decision to invoke the War Measures Act. Murphy praised Pierre Trudeau for standing “face to face” with a journalist to answer questions on the spot and explain his position. “He didn’t hide,” observed Murphy.
That exchange between Trudeau Snr and CBC-TV journalist, Tim Ralfe, is available to review here. Behold the miracle of an eloquent political leader speaking off the cuff to media and not shying away from difficult questions.
The most famous part of the exchange is transcribed here, where Trudeau utters one of his most quoted phrases: “Well, just watch me.”