September 24, 2018 (The Bridgehead) – Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau – he's the fellow who is still stumping on his feminist credentials after brushing off a groping incident with a young female reporter as a great example of how two people can experience an interaction differently – has not lost his touch for cringe-worthy statements that illustrate his ability to remain tone-deaf to the concerns of Canadians. You may not know this, but apparently Trudeau's Liberals have taken the “historic” step of declaring a “Gender Equality Week,” which means that they have selected a week at random, given it a name that appropriately conveys their own virtue, and then release cliché-ridden statements to remind the rest of us of that fact.
Not only do we have to listen to Trudeau lecture us on what we all must collectively learn from his experience groping a young woman, we must now also spend a whole week hearing him blather on about how historic his government is for repeating tropes that nobody bothers to argue about anymore, beginning with this statement from the Prime Minister's Office yesterday:
This week, we mark the first ever Gender Equality Week in Canada. This is a historic step, and a chance to celebrate gender equality as a key to Canada's success. We honour the people behind the progress we've made, and turn toward the work left to do make sure everyone has the opportunities they need to thrive.
In case you were wondering who, specifically, is being honored this week, the rest of the statement makes it quite clear that Justin would like to honor himself, as well as the Liberals. I'm sure we're even supposed to be grateful that Trudeau's handsy experiences with female reporters could teach us so much. More:
The theme of this year's celebration – Gender equality benefits everyone – highlights the ways gender equality makes life better for all of us. It's key to tackling the challenges we face as a world – whether building peace, fighting climate change, or growing economies that work for everyone. More people participating fully across our society means a bigger workforce, a stronger economy, and better communities. That's good for all of us – and it's on all of us to make it a reality.
Have you ever read such a banal and meaningless paragraph? Everyone getting involved in everything also solves everything, from climate change to “building peace,” whatever that's supposed to mean. Also, more people working means a bigger workforce. The Liberals also teach us lessons about math. And, of course, their own apparently magnificent resume:
Standing up for gender equality is a top priority for the Government of Canada. We appointed the first ever gender-balanced federal Cabinet and, in 2018, we put gender equality at the centre of both the federal budget and Canada's G7 presidency. We have taken action to protect gender-diverse Canadians from discrimination, reduce the gender wage gap, support women entrepreneurs, and prevent and address gender-based violence.
Canada will continue to champion gender equality at home and abroad. This year, Gender Equality Week falls during the United Nations General Assembly – where advancing gender equality will be one of our top priorities. At the G7 summit this past summer, we saw the progress we can make when we come together. In Charlevoix, thanks to the leadership of the Gender Equality Advisory Council for Canada's G7 Presidency, Canada and partners announced a historic investment of close to $3.8 billion in education for women and girls in crisis and conflict situations – the largest of its kind ever made. This investment will help make sure the most vulnerable women and girls get the chance to learn and succeed, and we will continue to build on that momentum this week by welcoming further support.
Oh, now I understand. We quickly invented “Gender Equality Week” so that we could talk about “Gender Equality Week” at the United Nations, in hopes that the UN finally gives us a seat on the Security Council. That way, we can continue to be known for sanctimoniously lecturing other countries on things, which they should tolerate because we're better than them. Our prime minister, for example, is such an exceptional feminist that his credentials and achievements have granted him the exclusive One Free Grope Rule, which means that if you are him, you can grope one reporter without suffering any consequences, and may even tell Canadians that we have much to learn from his groping, despite the fact that this Rule would not apply to any other Canadian should they attempt to do the same thing that Trudeau did and claim that the person being groped against their will simply experienced things differently (insofar as that they were being groped, rather than doing the groping.)
In the final two paragraphs, Trudeau and the Libs really close the deal on why this Week is so important:
Canada is also proud to stand with Chile as co-chairs of the Equal Rights Coalition, the first intergovernmental network formed to promote and protect the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) people around the world. As Canadians, we know our diversity is our strength – and we are all better off when everyone's rights are protected, and everyone's voice is heard.
Gender equality benefits all of us. This week, let's celebrate everyone who has worked to build a more just and equal Canada. Let's do our part, build on their progress, and shape a country where everyone has a real and fair chance to succeed.
There it is – “diversity is our strength.” By which the Liberals mean that if you are gay, straight, bi, non-binary, transgender, lesbian, intersex, or otherkin and are huge fans of abortion and reliably vote Liberal, you are Diverse Canadian. The others are Neanderthals who eat hate for breakfast and want to Divide Canadians by mentioning divisive things (such as the One Free Grope Rule), thereby creating a Climate of Hate, which is sort of like climate change in that the Liberals are the only solution to the problem.
This government is utterly embarrassing.
Published with permission from The Bridgehead.