Canada’s hated prime minister announced he was resigning last month. Most Canadians rejoiced at the apparent end of Justin Trudeau’s reign. His Liberal Party was facing death. Support had fallen to just 16 per cent by the end of December – an all time low.

In truth, Trudeau had not actually resigned. He merely announced he planned to resign. He was aware he was facing a non-confidence motion, which would force him to resign and force an election, which Pierre Poilievre’s Conservatives were practically guaranteed to win. To avoid this, he froze parliament. He was essentially holding Canada hostage so he could buy time. This gave him two and a half months, approximately, until parliament would resume in March. An election is now not likely to happen until October, though what might happen in the meantime is concerning.

With parliament’s hands tied, Trudeau and the Liberal Party gave themselves an opportunity to regain some of the popularity they had lost over the past few years. The public had grown sick of his woke platitudes. He constantly claimed that he is the only politician standing up for women’s rights, while simultaneously insisting that ‘transwomen are women’. His approach to Covid-19 and treatment of the truckers’ protests were shockingly authoritarian. He has also destroyed the economy, with many Canadians no longer able to afford to buy a home or even groceries.

The timing of Trudeau’s suspension of parliament was convenient. He knew Donald Trump’s tariff threat was incoming. The Liberals saw this as an opportunity to create a new enemy in America, pointing the finger at Trump as they fashioned themselves as patriotic defenders of Canadian sovereignty. ‘Team Canada’ became their mantra. The flag that was denounced as fascist when it was waved by the truckers was suddenly embraced by Trudeau and his supporters.

This seems to be working, too. The media have reported excitedly about a sudden jump in the polls. The Liberals have shot up, cutting down Poilievre’s massive lead. It’s hard to say how reflective this is of the country at large, but Poilievre is now faced with a challenge he may not have anticipated.