“It’s only hubris if I fail.” – Julius Caesar

From 2020 to 2022, most of us handled our business meetings in one way – we used Zoom.

The trend that was created, and one that will never fully go away ever again, was our collective ability to do certain jobs remotely. We now had empirical data to support the idea that if your job did not require equipment, or if you were not responsible for securing valuable data on private corporate server, you could probably do your job remotely.

Today, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced a Cabinet retreat in Charlottetown, PEI, from August 21 to 23. The retreat will focus on making life more affordable, growing the economy, building more housing, fighting climate change, and more. https://t.co/4zKGKrj4FB

— CanadianPM (@CanadianPM) August 14, 2023

So, despite the long-time tradition of the federal government of the day taking what is often an extravagant and expensive trip to discuss the jobs they already have, in 2023 many Canadians see this tradition as a colossal waste of time and, most importantly, money.

Justin Trudeau and his cabinet evidently do not see the irony.

Canada is a nation where many households currently feel squeezed economically. We have all been belt-tightening in one way or another. Our mortgage payments are increasing, the ability to purchase a home in the first place is decreasing, and economists are telling us that household debt is the quiet, sleeping giant many of us are going to dread in the coming months and years.

Moreover, the main message from the Trudeau government, is all about the economy. They have stated a main message of affordability, bank earnings, and, ironically, government spending, all while they claim to understand our pain as they eat fine food and spend untold amounts of taxpayer money.

The tone deafness is remarkable.

It is also worth mentioning that much of Canada is currently burning to the ground. But hopefully that won’t get in the way of eating some delicious P.E.I oysters.

Listen, I know there is a reflex among some Canadians who will tell you that this is just the price of doing business, and that this is always how governments operate in order to prepare for the upcoming session. But for many Canadians, this archaic tradition during a time of economic uncertainty is the literal definition of hypocrisy.

My Government's summer retreat in PEI will focus on Climate Change and Global Boiling.

That's why we're taking three enormous private jets, a 27-vehicle motorcade, and will not conduct any meetings virtually.

We are in a climate emergency. pic.twitter.com/AHEgPzOvg8

— Justin Trudeau's Ego (@Trudeaus_Ego) August 16, 2023

Do we want our government to design a robust plan for Canadians? Of course we do. Do we think it is necessary for these already-well-paid cabinet ministers to spend money on travel and fancy accommodations to accomplish this goal? If we are being honest, most of us probably do not.

A good exercise whenever someone challenges us to be measured in how we critique the government of the day is to imagine our reaction if a government we did not agree with was engaged in the same activity. I dare say, if Pierre Poilievre was preaching about affordability and out of control government spending, we would not be hitting him with kid gloves is his message was being broadcast from an expensive government retreat.

Hubris is often impossible to see from those who manifest it the most. If Justin Trudeau is serious about showing Canadians that he is a good example of being a fiscal steward, this retreat could have been handled from the warm and sunny confines of a Zoom meeting.