A new book, edited by Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives researchers, provides the first authoritative review of Justin Trudeau’s years in power, with 25 independent experts weighing in on his promises and performance.

In the book, researchers analyze over 20 important areas of government policy, with a focus on six policy areas: Indigenous rights, governance and housing; the environment and energy; taxes and spending; healthcare and social benefits; foreign policy, immigration, and trade; and social policy including drug reform, labour rights, and racism.

The record of what has been done—and what hasn’t—will surprise even well-informed readers.

The book is on shelves now. Readers should check out their local bookshop to find a copy—and ask that the shop order some if they haven’t done so already. They can also order copies at local libraries across the county.

Readers who want to purchase the book online can do so through Lorimer Books: https://lorimer.ca/adults/product/the-trudeau-record-promise-and-performance/

 “The latest in the CCPA’s indispensable series of field reports about political parties in office, this collection of sharp, clear-eyed analysis is the definitive account of the Trudeau decade. The authors even-handedly take stock of an ‘all of the above’ government, which conceded some gains to social movements while preserving the power of corporate titans to guzzle record profits and accelerate climate breakdown. This is an intellectual toolbox to help us understand the persisting inequalities and fraying safety net now being preyed on by a surging right—and to fight back.”

  • Martin Lukacs, journalist and author of The Trudeau Formula

“The book is an invaluable resource. It provides a well-researched and accessibly written evaluation of the Trudeau government’s record. Individual chapters explore, document, and provide balanced assessments of a comprehensive range of policy areas. It deserves a wide readership amongst activists, policy practitioners, students, academics, and the general public.”

  • Stephen McBride, professor of political science at McMaster University and author of Escaping Dystopia: Rebuilding a Public Domain (2022).

Contributors to The Trudeau Record include: 

  • Hugh Armstrong, Carleton University
  • Pat Armstrong, York University
  • Stephen Brown, University of Ottawa
  • DT Cochrane, Canadian Labour Congress
  • Martha Friendly, Childcare Resource and Research Unit
  • Christina Gabriel, Carleton University
  • Adam R. Houston, Médecins Sans Frontières
  • Sharon Jeannotte, University of Ottawa
  • Hayden King, Yellowhead Institute
  • Marc Lee, Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives
  • David Macdonald, Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives
  • Laura Macdonald, Carleton University
  • Paula Maurutto, University of Toronto
  • Hadrian Mertins-Kirkwood, Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives
  • Katrina Miller, Canadians for Tax Fairness
  • Nisha Nath, Athabasca University
  • Richard Nimijean, Carleton University
  • Jeremy Paltiel, Carleton University
  • Michael F.D. Polanyi, Nature Canada
  • Susan Prentice, University of Manitoba
  • Stephanie Ross, McMaster university
  • Katherine Scott, Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives
  • Niigaan James Sinclair, University of Manitoba
  • Stuart Trew, Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives
  • Nate Wallace, Environmental Defence

Journalists who would like to reach authors or editors should contact media@policyalternatives.ca with any requests.