Inappropriate dress by PM

Dear Editor: Trudeau Jr. is definitely headed down the wrong path. I had thought much about his father way back in 1968. Why? Because I was a Canadian soldier, half way through an army career with two completed tours (five years) in the Canadian NATO brigade in West Germany. By 1967, I had gone overseas for the increase in brigade strength, due to the Berlin Wall Crisis (before the wall had been built). His father, Pierre Elliot Trudeau, was elected prime minister in 1968. PETrudeau was Canada’s most infamous draft dodger during the Second World War.

As we just witnessed in his trip to China, Justin behaved more like a tourist than a prime minister.

The old army-in-my-bones immediately thought; what did those young Chinese soldiers, think when they saw a scruffy jet -lagged individual, very inappropriately dressed, depart the aircraft to inspect their honour guard.

If first impressions mean anything, the Chinese army will remember how shoddily dressed Trudeau was late that night in Beijing. The Chinese people have long memories.

Diplomats arriving in any world capital city, especially when a Guard of Honour is assembled to greet them; expect the diplomat to be properly dressed in a military uniform or business suit, shirt and tie, the appropriate shoe colour, an overcoat and hat if necessary.

Trudeau’s arrival the other night in Beijing, was a sign of disrespect for the Chinese people. Unfortunately, he failed to show respect for himself and the Canadian people.

If Trudeau Jr. fails to seal a free trade agreement down the road, he and his Liberal and socialist advisers may look back to his arrival in China; for some of the reasons as to why his trade mission failed. Only in Canada, eh? Ernie Slump

Penticton