Community reaction to Justin Trudeau blasting Harper's Canada

MP Justin Trudeau rises is seen apologizing for unparliamentary language in December. (CBC) Liberal MP Justin Trudeau was back in the hot seat after suggesting that he'd sooner support a sovereign Quebec than Stephen Harper's Canada.

Trudeau made the remark during a French-language interview with Radio-Canada on Sunday.

"I always say that if ever I believed Canada was really Stephen Harper's Canada -- that we were heading against abortion, against gay marriage, that we were going backwards 10,000 different ways -- maybe I would think about wanting to make Quebec a country," he said, speaking in French.

Trudeau, who was grilled about the remark in the House of Commons Tuesday, later defended himself before reporters.



This is not the first time Trudeau has been on the defensive. In December, he fired a "decidedly unparliamentary" remark at Environment Minister Peter Kent - one that was met with much support from the CBC Community.

When we asked readers if they were disappointed in Trudeau following his December remark, 78 per cent of 12,816 respondents answered "No."

His latest remark and subsequent justifications, however, have not been as well received.

Most blasted the outspoken son of Pierre Trudeau.

• "Mr. Trudeau: It's not, and never has been, your Canada any more than it's my Canada. It's our Canada!! You and yours are no more entitled to set its course than am I and mine." - Shif Ter Brains
• "Justin sounds like the spoiled, selfish child who takes his ball and goes home if he is not happy with the outcome of the game. He says he wants to be a part of the government of Canada, but if Canadians vote for a party that he doesn't agree with, he will give up on Canada and go start a new country." - patrickd
• "If Justin Trudeau ever becomes Prime Minister then perhaps the rest of Canada will separate from Canada leaving just Quebec." - ytzpilot
• "Celebrity over Credibility. Don't fall for it folks." - Justin-Case
• "Yeah, whatever. Like his father was a saint. This misguided kid got elected for his name." - NEWSBUM

Others held a more favourable view of Trudeau's comment.

•  "Well said, Justin. One doesn't have to live in Quebec to feel the same way you do." - pendlehill37
• "I said the same thing today. Lets take Quebec, NB, NS, and PEI and go our own way . . . All he's saying is Harper is so out of touch and watching all the things he's doing to this country, it makes you want to leave . . . I want my Canada back." - Crazy13Horse
• "He's right. This isn't my Canada but his remarks are meant to wake people up!" - Mellowcanuck
• "Canada needs to separate from Stephen Harper. That's all he's saying. Harper is the biggest threat to Canada." - CaptainKangeroo
• "Understand your sentiments completely, Justin. Those with common-sense will know your words were not meant literally." - alwaysvote
• "He has an excellent point...what do you do when the country that you live in no longer reflects your basic belief and feelings? I have tried to agree with the Harper government but I just can't. Justin is so right when he talks of the contradictions." - OhCanada28
• "I can't help but feel like most people who are criticizing Justin over this are probably incapable of seeing the simple and uncontroversial point he is making because they don't like his last name, the party he belongs to, and QC." - TTTTT

(This survey is not scientific. Results are based on readers' responses.)

As always, thank you for following our coverage. Please feel free to comment on or challenge any of these points.