Victoria Viewpoints: Wednesday, November 30, 2016

Our compilation of some of the stories of note from the day, reviewing the political developments from the Provincial scene.

A larger list of links on the Kinder Morgan/Oil Moratorium decision can be found on our  Ottawa Observations listings.

The BC reaction is below


Ottawa, Alberta join forces to sell B.C. on Trans Mountain pipeline
Rachel Notley heading to B.C. to make the case for Trans Mountain pipeline
B.C. Liberal MPs unhappy after Trudeau green-lights Trans Mountain pipeline
Christy Clark says province close to endorsing Trans Mountain pipeline expansion
B.C.'s Christy Clark happy to let Ottawa take heat on Kinder Morgan pipeline decision
Kinder Morgan approval insults Democracy, Science and Economic Logic
Climate Change, Not Spills, the Real Kinder Morgan Disaster
B.C. premier to welcome Kinder Morgan pipeline expansion approval if 5 conditions are met
Kinder Morgan pipeline approval: Opponents 'prepared to go to jail' protest in Vancouver
Opposition prepares to fight Trans Mountain pipeline approval
B.C. Liberal MP's worried about voter support after Trans Mountain pipeline approval
Christy Clark says Ottawa close to meeting B.C. pipeline conditions
Fort St. John mayor claims 'silent majority' in Lower Mainland support Trans Mountain
Cautious approach by Christy Clark on Kinder Morgan sets up potential election showdown
Victoria mayor will fight pipeline but not from jail
Why Kinder Morgan could severely damage the Trudeau-B.C. connection
Residents of B.C.'s North Coast react to the 'death' of Northern Gateway
Courting controversy: pipeline legal battle just beginning
Most B.C. Liberal MPs back Trudeau on pipeline, but say party will take a 'hit'
Are taxpayers liable for Enbridge's $500M in Northern Gateway costs? Experts divided
Kinder Morgan faces rough seas
Pipeline decision a four part compromise
Victoria Mayor disappointed with pipeline approval
Premier says B.C. now 'very close' to Yes on Trans Mountain pipeline



Mathematics used to study pine beetle control methods
CMHC head says foreign buyers a 'scapegoat' for high Vancouver prices
B.C. panel releases domestic violence report, urges support for victims
B.C. allocated 10 times more to fight swine flu than fentanyl crisis
Pipeline fight could define B.C. election
B.C. Premier warms to Kinder Morgan pipeline as election looms
B.C. looks to China as U. S. lumber lobby retaliates
B.C. government must respond to housing needs of people under the age of 65
'Kill a worker, Go to Jail'
Horgan makes appeal to workers: People of BC 'deserve better'

Ottawa Observations: Wednesday, November 30, 2016

Our compilation of some of the stories of note from the day, reviewing the political developments from the Federal scene for Wednesday, November 30, 2016

Pipelines and Push back

Ottawa, Alberta join forces to sell B.C. on Trans Mountain pipeline
On pipelines, Trudeau strikes the right balance
Canadian energy stocks ride high on pipeline, OPEC decisions
Ottawa aims to calm emission fears in wake of pipeline approvals
Pipelines are not a reconciliation of Canada's environment and economy
Rachel Notley heading to B.C. to make the case for Trans Mountain pipeline
Trudeau goes up the middle with pipeline play
Trudeau gives caucus long leash to voice discontent on Trans Mountain approval
B.C. Liberal MPs unhappy after Trudeau green-lights Trans Mountain pipeline
Canadians' views on pipelines divided, but 'Social Licence' gives opening to Liberals
Trans Mountain will put Canada fully in global energy natural resources minister says
Christy Clark says province close to endorsing Trans Mountain pipeline expansion
Pipeline pain comes with little political gain for Trudeau
Trudeau caught in pipeline blues of his own making
B.C.'s Christy Clark happy to let Ottawa take heat on Kinder Morgan pipeline decision
Front line in pipeline wars moves east
It doesn't count as a pipeline approval unless Trudeau's prepared to arrest Liz May
Kinder Morgan approval insults Democracy, Science and Economic Logic
Climate Change, Not Spills, the Real Kinder Morgan Disaster
B.C. premier to welcome Kinder Morgan pipeline expansion approval if 5 conditions are met
Natural Resources Minister Jim Carr touts pipeline approvals in Calgary
Did Justin Trudeau break his word by approving pipelines?
Kinder Morgan pipeline approval: Opponents 'prepared to go to jail' protest in Vancouver




Marijuana task force submits report outlining framework for legal system
Committee report to call for referendum on electoral reform
Trudeau defends Liberal fundraising event attended by marijuana lobbyists
Senators charge taxpayers for art, gifts, dining out and booze
Conservative Senator Bob Runciman slams 'appaling' Liberal move to kill bail reform bill
Former NDP MP calls out Sajjan on decision not to call Afghan detainee inquiry
8 burning questions about coming federal pot report
Justin Trudeau loses his nerve, skips Fidel Castro's funeral
Cubans in Miami denounce Trudeau's statement
Ignore Kellie Leitch, save Canada, win valuable prizes
Ed Broadbent accidentally reveals the naked self-interest of the left's electoral crusaders
Senators divided on whether they should be part of political parties
'Knees together' judge should be removed from bench, judicial committee says
Laugh at Trudeau's fawning tribute to Castro if you wish - but spare a tear for Cuba

Victoria Viewpoints: Tuesday, November 29, 2016

Our compilation of some of the stories of note from the day, reviewing the political developments from the Provincial scene.

A larger list of links on the Kinder Morgan/Oil Moratorium decision can be found on our  Ottawa Observations listings.

The BC reaction is below

'Consistent'? Or 'sham' that betrayed British Columbians '? BC MPs weigh in on Trans Mountain
First Nations, environmentalists vow 'long battle' on approved Kinder Morgan pipeline
B.C. government still on the Kinder Morgan fence
Ottawa approves two pipelines, rejects one while imposing tanker ban on northern B.C. coast
First Nation fighting Kinder Morgan pipeline proposal makes last-ditch appeal to Trudeau to delay approval
Trudeau just sacrificed BC for Big Oil
Trudeau Gov't approves two major pipeline projects, Vows Tanker Moratorium
Vancouver Quadra Liberal MP Joyce Murray calls approval of Kinder Morgan pipeline incredibly disappointing
Vancouver mayor is 'profoundly disappointed' with federal approval of Kinder Morgan project
UBCIC's Bob Chamberlain denounces Trudeau's Kinder Morgan approval at public protest
Trans Mountain approval prompts anger in B.C.
Critics speak out agains approval of Trans Mountain pipeline in B.C.
B.C. groups attack Ottawa's approval of Kinder Morgan pipeline
Kinder Morgan pipeline expansion wins conditional approval; Enbridge proposal rejected
Reaction to the Trans Mountain pipeline decision, pro and con
Trudeau green lights Kinder Morgan pipeline, rejects Northern Gateway




B.C. explores softwood options in China, India amid U.S. trade dispute
B.C. teachers want resources restored this school year
B.C. forecasts larger-than-expected budget surplus
Sinixt First Nation;s fight for existence expected to be a long battle
Kelowna moves to ban sidewalk sleeping 24 hours a day
Provincial surplus projected to increase, despite cooling B.C. real estate
Unshackle ICBC from politics
B.C. Parks to finally get more funding
B.C. surplus projected to increase, despite cooling real estate
Union says it will oppose sale of B.C. retirement homes to firm with links to China
Budget surplus hits $2.24 billion, but B.C. braces for schools settlement
Demand an end to Second-Class Status for Reserve Children

Ottawa Observations: Tuesday, November 29, 2016

Our compilation of some of the stories of note from the day, reviewing the political developments from the Federal scene for Tuesday, November 29, 2016

Pipelines and Tankers and a few angry MP's

Ottawa's pipeline approvals give Alberta boost, but upset environmentalists
Trans Mountain pipeline approval was crucial to Notley's political survival
Trudeau didn't just approve Trans Mountain, but put his weight behind it
Canadians about to see yet again that approvals don't end pipeline battles
The potential pitfalls of Trudeau's pipeline politics
Trans mountain pipeline expansion key to growing crude market
'Consistent'? Or 'sham' that betrayed British Columbians '? BC MPs weigh in on Trans Mountain
First Nations, environmentalists vow 'long battle' on approved Kinder Morgan pipeline
B.C. government still on the Kinder Morgan fence
For Trudeau and Trans Mountain, it's all over but the shouting
Trudeau cabinet approves Trans Mountain, Line 3 pipelines, rejects Northern Gateway
Optimism and anger as industry and environmentalists react to pipeline approvals
Liberals approve Trans Mountain pipeline, reject Northern Gateway plan
Trudeau could've made Northern Gateway work
Trudeau shows grit endorsing pipeline project, but the toughest work remains
Pipeline approvals show Canada is back as a responsible oil producer
Ottawa approves two pipelines, rejects one while imposing tanker ban on northern B.C. coast
First Nation fighting Kinder Morgan pipeline proposal makes last-ditch appeal to Trudeau to delay approval
Trudeau just sacrificed BC for Big Oil
Trudeau Gov't approves two major pipeline projects, Vows Tanker Moratorium
Vancouver Quadra Liberal MP Joyce Murray calls approval of Kinder Morgan pipeline incredibly disappointing
Vancouver mayor is 'profoundly disappointed' with federal approval of Kinder Morgan project
UBCIC's Bob Chamberlain denounces Trudeau's Kinder Morgan approval at public protest
Trans Mountain approval prompts anger in B.C.
Trans Mountain, Line 3 are moving forward - they could still face major delays



Minister vows to scrutinize retirement home takeover bid by Chinese company Anbang
Biden to meet with Trudeau in Ottawa to discuss Canada-U.S. ties
Senate speaker Furey strikes down attempt to rewrite tax code
Ottawa not tracking effectiveness of $1.1 billion U.S. border plan, auditor says
Government consistently fails to fix mistakes, Auditor-General says
Ex military members go to court alleging sexual assaults, misconduct
'Beyond unacceptable': Auditor general rips treatment of First Nations, aging technology
Judy Foote says 15,000 cases remain in Phoenix backlog
Senators' bid to amend Trudeau's signature tax bill ruled out of order
Money-losing Crown corporation gets scathing review from auditor general
Trudeau to meet December 9 with premiers, Indigenous leaders - and U.S. VP Joe Biden
Auditor finds military maintenance, recruiting less than ship shape
Indigenous prisoners released without adequate rehab, auditor general says
CRA taking far too long to resolve tax objections, auditor general says
No way to tell if border plan is helping security, trade or travellers: auditor general
Celebrities, activists rally support for Nunavut hamlet's Supreme Court case
Key highlights from the auditor general's fall report
National Defence needs to clean up recruiting, military maintenance: auditor general report
Trudeau out of step with Canadians in response to Castro's death
Armed Forces squadron mourns pilot killed in crash; 'It's like we lost a member of our family'
O'Leary closer to taking on Trudeau
Trudeau hasn't fallen far from the tyrant-admiring tree
Super Hornet purchase leaves 'brave men and women in uniform' where they've always been - last on the list of priorities
Liberals loiter on controversial jet purchase despite urgent rhetoric new jets are needed now
Why Justin Trudeau shares his dad's love of murderous communist despots like Castro
Auditor General slams incompetence, indifference and neglect in federal government: 'Deja vu all over again'
Auditor general says Canada Revenue Agency takes too long to respond to tax complaints - and it's costing us
'We're in': Conservative leadership contest to grow to 14 candidates with Rick Peterson, Pierre Lemieux
Tyee Report lands Trudeau in Hot Seat over 'Cash for Access' Fundraiser
Canola Businessman Paid to meet Trudeau ahead of Industry Deal with Beijing

At Issue Panel: Pipeline Decision

An archive of the At Issue features from the CBC's flagship News program The National.

 November 29: Pipeline decision

MP Nathan Cullen shows frustration with Liberal's approach to electoral reform

Skeena-Bulkley Valley NDP MP had some sharp words for
the Liberals Maryam Monsef in Question Period Monday

The NDP MP for Skeena-Bulkley Valley had a number of sharp comments for Maryam Monsef the Minister of Democratic Institutions, with Nathan Cullen rising in Monday's Question Period to take the Minister to task over recent comments and moves by the Federal Government when it comes to plans for electoral reform

During his Question Period time, Mr. Cullen chastised the Minister and the Liberals suggesting that they were undermining the work of the All Party Committee tasked to explore any potential change to how Canadians select their Members of Parliament.

Further to his exchange with the Minister, Mr. Cullen noted that the committee was just days away from delivering its report on the topic, clearly angered by the Liberals comments of the weekend that to Mr. Cullen have sidelined the importance of the committee's work.

On that theme, the NDP MP accused the Liberal Minister of throwing a Committee of the House of Commons under the bus and offered up a name change for her to that of Minister of Undermining Democratic Reform.

During his comments to the House, Cullen outlined some of the work that the Electoral Reform Committee had conducted in recent months, noting how thousands of Canadians had expressed their thoughts on the need for reform and asked the House why Minister Monsef had become the Voice of No.

For her part, the Minister observed that she was committed to the file since receiving her mandate and that the Federal Government was going to give the report the respect it deserves before developing a plan

The video of the Parliamentary exchange of Monday can be viewed below.




Mr. Cullen also took his concerns over how the Liberal government was backtracking on its commitments to his Facebook page, with a number of posts that highlighted his frustrations with the Minister of Deomcratic Reform.

The Skeena-Bulkley Valley MP was one of a number of MP's who spent the summer and fall crossing the country to hear from the public on the theme of electoral reform.

During the consultation phase of the NDP MP released the results compiled from a survey across the Skeena-Bulkley Valley riding, with the findings seeming to champion the concept of a test drive for change to the electoral process, before providing for a final decision with a vote.

In recent weeks however, Mr. Cullen and the NDP moved closer towards the concept of holding a referendum before any adjustments to the process are made, which would allow Canadians the final say before any change to the current first past the post system.

November 17 -- NDP Open to Referendum on Electoral Reform
November 16 -- Cullen says NDP would support a referendum on electoral reform
November 16 -- NDP now willing to back national referendum on electoral reform
November 16 -- New Democrats say they are open to referendum on electoral reform
November 16 -- NDP says it's willing to support an electoral reform referendum despite concerns

You can review some of their work through the last six months from the archive found on our political portal D'Arcy McGee.

More notes on Mr. Cullen's work in the House of Commons can be found on our House Archives here.

Cross posted from the North Coast Review

Victoria Viewpoints: Monday, November 28, 2016

Our compilation of some of the stories of note from the day, reviewing the political developments from the Provincial scene.


B.C. adds 1,900 campsites, more rangers
Timeline of the sinking and recovery of the Nathan E Stewart
'A government that's not on our side': B.C. Labour leader calls for change
Can we contain oil spills? The answer is in the sheen
Ottawa to announce decisions tomorrow on Northern Gateway, Line 3 pipelines
'It's going to be an unstoppable plague in this country,' says premier of opioid crisis
B.C. government creating more than 1,900 new campsites 
South Asian heritage learning tools funded by province
UVic proposes joint indigenous-Canadian common law degree
Chinese company Anbang busy stake in B.C. - based retirement home chain
NDP wants Auditor General to review ICBC finances
B.C. Liberals unlikely to follow commission's tax advice
Premier announces 1,900 new campsites in B.C.
B.C. announces $23 million for new campsites
Province to add 1,800 plus campsites hire more rangers
Tackle housing in the poverty battle
B.C. nonprofit outlines the case for abolishing solitary confinement in Canadian prisons
Libs and NDP won't stand up to Forestry Donor, BC Greens imply in fundraising pitch
Trudeau's Six Unanswered questions on Kinder Morgan expansion
Why it's still too easy to kill an employee
Lanzinger urges BC Fed Delegates to work to defeat Clark

Ottawa Observations: Monday, November 28, 2016

Our compilation of some of the stories of note from the day, reviewing the political developments from the Federal scene for Monday, November 28, 2016

The Prime Minister said what?

Trudeau on Castro: Get us rewrite, pronto
Trudeau to skip Castro's funeral
Fidel Castro was no friend of socialism
Justin Trudeau's man crush on Fidel
Justin Trudeau won't attend Fidel Castro's funeral
Trudeau's Castro comments send mixed message on human rights
Trudeau right to skip Castro funeral
Trudeau paves the way for future 'young socialists'
Adios Fidel, Justin Trudeau now sends his regret
Obviously Trudeau's no Reagan, but Good God this is awful
Trudeau to skip Fidel Castro's funeral following backlash over PM's kind words for the dictator


Uncertainty over Canada's economic outlook sets bar high for rate change: Poloz
Ottawa urged to reject retirement home bid by Chinese group Anbang
Liberal policy forcing need for new jets: RCAF head 
CBC seeks annual funding boost of $318-million to go ad-free
Canada extends UN deployment in South Sudan despite concerns: memo
Mission to Mali would be 'counter-terrorism,' not peacekeeping, senators say
Service sector key to Canada's economic growth Bank of Canada governor says
Pilot dies in CF-18 crash near Cold Lake, Alberta
Ottawa to announce decisions tomorrow on Northern Gateway, Line 3 pipelines
New Liberal policy means there aren't enough fighters to go around
CBC/Radio Canada asks for $400M in increased funding to go ad-free
Number of terrorist travellers to Syria, Iraq may be levelling off: CSIS
Trudeau cabinet to discuss Trans Mountain pipeline as B.C. First Nation vows to oppose it
960 regular force military members reported sexual assault in the past year, StatsCan survey finds
Senators issue warning over potential Mali peacekeeping mission
Feds appeal Manitoba decision to ease compensation for residential school survivors
Saskatchewan, Canada reach equivalency deal on coal-fired power plants
CSIS official admits reporters may have been under surveillance in the past
First Nations have most to lose in pipeline battle
Justin's sunny days are over
Tapping private capital for infrastructure is a good idea, mostly
'We have no other tools': CBC asks Ottawa for more than $300 million in new funding to go ad free
Liberal cash-for-access events aren't just ugly, they may be illegal
Nellie McLung got snubbed for a banknote. They wanted a 'perfect' woman instead
Trudeau's Six Unanswered Questions on Kinder Morgan Expansion
CPP changes won't leave out women: Jean-Yves Duclos
Liberals running out of time for electoral reform referendum

Prince Rupert Salvation Army launches 2016 Christmas campaign

Over the course of the final days of last week residents around the North Coast received a note from the Prince Rupert Salvation Army, as Captains Gary and Nancy Sheils brought the community up to date on the start of the 2016 Christmas campaign, the last one as things turn out that the Sheils will be watching over in the region.

After fifteen years of service to the North Coast, the Sheils will be retiring in June, marking a long run of providing for some of those in the most need in the community, with the Christmas season the part of the year where the greatest demand for services is found for the Salvation Army and those that they partner with in Prince Rupert.

The numbers are startling for a city of less than 12,000 residents, last year at Christmas the Salvation Army called on the community for help and the response that they received allowed them to deliver assistance to more than 850 families, a total of 3,042 adults and children. 

From the generosity of the North Coast food cards, toys for children and a small gift for each adult were provided during the 2015 holiday season. 

With the economic situation found in the region this year much the same, if not a bit worse for many, the Salvation Army is preparing to meet the needs of the community once again for the Christmas season ahead.

Captains Gary and Nancy Sheils penned what may be their
last Christmas Appeal letter to the community, the Sheils
are set to retire in Jun 2017 after 15 years on the North Coast

Included in the letter to residents is an envelope should you wish to make a donation towards the Salvation Army's efforts both at Christmas and through the year. For the immediate need of the Christmas campaign, the annual appearance of the red kettles will soon start to be soon, offering the opportunity to make a donation at a number of locations set up around the city.

That along with a number of other plans from community groups and residents in the region will help to make sure that the Salvation Army can address the need for this season.

And while the focus is on the immediate need of the Christmas season, the work of the Salvation Army is a year long effort with a number of initiatives that are in place to lend a hand in the community.

Over the course of the last twelve months they have served over 41,000 meals at the Sally Ann Bistro, as well as providing help to some 2,100 families and singles through their Bread of Life Food Band. 

As well, 1,200 North Coast residents have received free clothing and housewares through the services of the city's Salvation Army Thrift Store on Third Avenue West.

All of those programs have been made possible through the support of people around the region, something to remember as you pass by a kettle through the next month, or thumb through the pile of mail that you may have put aside from last week's mail delivery.

You can keep up to date on many of the events in Prince Rupert from our Community Notes archive.

Cross posted from the North Coast Review

Canadian Coast Guard embarks on recruitment drive on North Coast

The Canadian Coast Guard is currently recruiting for
positions available at the Seal Cove MCTS Centre at Seal Cove

The Canadian Coast Guard is putting the focus on First Nations and coastal community residents for its current round of employee recruitment, with the Coast Guard seeking applicants for positions with its Prince Rupert Marine Communications and Traffic Services Centre at the Seal Cove base.

The call for applicants makes note of the unique knowledge of the region and experience on the water that First Nations and coastal residents may have, something which would be a valuable asset for delivering the marine services that the Coast Guard offers out of Seal Cove.

Coast Guard communications out of
Prince Rupert cover a large area of
the West Coast 

The MCTS Centre is what the Coast Guard calls the "eyes and ears" of marine traffic, ensuring the safety of the waterways.

Those that work out of Seal Cove provide first response to vessels in distress and communicate with both local vessels and shipping traffic along the North Coast.

As well as monitoring vessel traffic for a wide area from the North Pacific to Vancouver Island, the MCTS centre also offers weather bulletins and navigational notices to vessels at sea.

The Coast Guard hosted an Open House at the Seal Cove base last week which reviewed some of the careers that are available, including those at the MCTS Centre in Prince Rupert, as well as explaining how the process of application works.

Those that could not attend the information session can find more information about the kind of work that they perform on the North Coast from the Coast Guard Website, which features a look at the Prince Rupert Coast Guard Centre.






If interested in pursuing the current career opportunity with the Canadian Coast Guard now in recruitment mode, contact Robert Crooks, Regional Program Specialist, MCTS Western Region.

He can be contacted at Robert.Crooks@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

More notes on emergency service providers in the Northwest can be found on our archive page here.

Cross posted from the North Coast Review

Victoria Viewpoints: Saturday/Sunday, November 26 & 27, 2016

Our compilation of some of the stories of note from the day, reviewing the political developments from the Provincial scene.

Mike de Jong unlikely to get rid of PST in upcoming financial update
B.C. advocacy group calls for end to solitary confinement in Canada
B.C.'s new representative for children calls for national guardian role
Building pipelines will pay off, says former Bank of Canada governor
B.C.'s Morgane Oger first transgender woman to be nominated by major party
2017 British Columbia election: Stikine riding profile
2017 British Columbia election: Vancouver-West End riding profile
Simmering anger over public education could define 2017 B.C. election
Readers won't trade away speed for lower insurance rates
Without pipelines Canada's prosperity on the line
Tackle housing in the poverty battle
Regional development co-ordination critically needed
The rumbles grow, along with the grumbles
Justin Trudeau and the political calculus behind the Northern Gateway and Kinder Morgan pipelines

Ottawa Observations: Saturday/Sunday, November 26 and 27, 2016

Our compilation of some of the stories of note from the day, reviewing the political developments from the Federal scene for Saturday/Sunday, November 26 & 27, 2016

The Prime Minister said what?

A look at some of the reaction to Prime Minister Trudeau's comments on the death of Fidel Castro

A Travelling Prime Minister

Trudeau promotes women's, LGBT rights at la Francophonie summit of French-speaking nations


Why is Justin Trudeau coddling the Castros?
Trudeau's words on Fidel Castro a reminder Canada willing to go own way on Cuba
CRA launches new strategy to crack down on tax havens
We're about to see just how ruthless Trudeau can be
Super Hornets join the Royal Canadian Air Farce
Canada steps away from online redress system, but 'No Fly List Kids' parents still waiting
8 things to know about the Pierre Elliot Trudeau foundation
Catherine McKenna insists Ottawa will stick with plan on climate change despite Trump win
NDP, not Trudeau, can be the antidote to Trumpism
Conservatives need a positive message rooted in the economy
Senators want action on foreign interference in Canadian elections
Yes, Ms. Fry, but what about those cross burnings in B. C.?
Maryam Monsef won't guarantee a new electoral system by 2019
Former PM Joe Clark 'disappointed' in Kellie Leitch's leadership bid
F-35's could be considered despite election promise: Liberal government
Trudeau's B.C. Senate appointment a Beijing apologist, MP charges

It's all in how you frame your eulogies ... An Ode too Far?

The Cuban Government is saluting their former leader
upon news of the passing of Fidel Castro

The task of saying a few words for the recently departed is always kind of a tricky thing, for the most part we look to highlight the good qualities of people, glossing over any unfortunate incidents of the past that might have alarmed us back in the day.

Good advice when you're perhaps putting a few thoughts together about an uncle, aunt, or a former boss who maybe was a bit of a jerk; not so much it seems when dealing with someone such as Fidel Castro, who ruled his nation with an iron fist and was one of the most controversial figures of the last century.

Or, as the Prime Minister would put it "Cuba's longest serving President"  and "a larger than life leader who served his people for almost half a century" ... something of course that is easy to do when you're a dictator and lock up, or dispose of the majority of your opponents.

Prime Minister Trudeau quickly discovered over the weekend that his flowery composition that saluted the reign of Fidel Castro was an Ode too Far for many. With the social media savvy Trudeau becoming the instant meme for social media of the weekend and launching what became a wildly energized twitter festival under the hash tag of #Trudeau eulogies.

It was form of social media push back that came from where Justin Trudeau seems to live these days and may actually resonate with the Prime Minister, considering his attachment to the various tools of the new media and its abilities to deliver an instant verdict on current events.

The twitter storm that was unleashed provided for a collection of some pretty fascinating observations that seem to suggest that the Canadian leader might be a little lite when it comes to his historical studies.

First though, we go to the statement, the official word from the Prime Minister as he spoke for Canadians on the passing of Mr. Castro, a man who has been the focus of much of the political narrative since he arrived out of the Cuban back country in January of 1959 to claim the Cuban Presidency in a revolution that captivated the world and at one point brought the world to the brink of a nuclear war.

Now the Prime Minister of course can call on a number of personal memories for his tribute, his father the former Prime Minister of the late sixties and the decade to follow, had a very personal relationship with the Cuban leader.

Mom and Dad Trudeau made a much documented trip to Cuba in 1976, cementing what evolved into a long term friendship between the former Prime Minister and the Cuban leader. 

And Mr. Castro of course famously served as an honorary pall bearer at the funeral of Pierre Trudeau, mixing with many politicians of this hemisphere who didn't quite have the same outlook on governance at the time.

The current Prime Minister Trudeau perhaps was calling on those memories heard around the family dining room table over the years to form his talking point on this pivotal moment in history. Some fond remembrances of time spent by his father with Mr. Castro, where one imagines some of the more unsavoury elements of the Cuban leaders way of handling political issues did not get mentioned.

However, when it comes to crafting a statement that represents Canadian values (hello there human rights) on the global scene, perhaps scaling back the personal memories and focusing on some of the larger and often mentioned concerns related to the Castro era might have been a helpful guiding star for the Prime Minister.

With 24 hours or so to revisit those early thoughts and to conduct a bit of political damage control, the parsing of the Prime Ministers condolences began to flow.

Fidel Castro was a dictator, Trudeau says

Trudeau defends statement expressing 'deep sorrow' over Fidel Castro's death

Justin Trudeau's confusing Fidel Castro defence

Trudeau defends comments after death of former Cuban leader Fidel Castro

Justin Trudeau now says Fidel Castro was a dictator

O Canada: Trudeau's Castro tribute raises eyebrows

Trudeau defends comment on Fidel Castro's death, says he didn't intend to ignore human rights

The backlash to the original statement was pretty quick to come in, not only from Canadian sources, but from around the world where pretty well everyone seemed to be saying in unison  "he said what?"

Below a few of the reviews of the Eulogy heard around the World.

Canada

Trudeau faces backlash after Castro tribute

Trudeau widely criticized for Castro statement

PM Justin Trudeau slammed for Fidel Castro comments

Trudeau's turn from cool to laughing stock

Justin Trudeau's statement on Fidel Castro's death a revisionist embarrassment

Reaction to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's statement on Castro's death

Conservative leadership candidate Lisa Raiit blasts Justin Trudeau for mourning the death of Fidel Castro

Justin Trudeau slammed for statement on Fidel Castro's death

Justin Trudeau defends Fidel Castro statement

PM selfie missteps on Castro's legacy

Earth to Trudeau: Fidel Castro was a brutal dictator - not a benevolent, grizzled uncle

Justin Trudeau recalls Fidel Castro as 'legendary' revolutionary and orator'

The World

Canadian PM Trudeau's statement on Fidel Castro's death met with ire, humour

Justin Trudeau says Castro was 'Larger Than Life Leader"

Justin Trudeau draws criticism for praising Fidel Castro as 'remarkable leader'

Canada's Trudeau chided for Castro praise

Justin Trudeau Criticized for Praising Fidel Castro as 'Remarkable Leader'

Marco Rubio, Ted Cruz slam Canadian PM Justin Trudeau for praising Fidel Castro

'Marco's right!:" Ted Cruz jumps on Rubio's criticism of Obama and Trudeau's response to Castro's death and accuses them of 'showering love on our enemies'

Embarrassing reactions to Castro's death

Five most embarrassing statements on Fidel Castro's death from America's political leaders

Fidel Castro: Justin Trudeau ridiculed over praise of 'remarkable leader'

And now a word from twitter ....

Fidel Castro dies. Justin Trudeau issues a statement. Much hilarity ensues #Trudeaueulogies

#Trudeaueulogies: Justin Trudeau's warm tribute to Fidel Castro moved on Social Media

Twitter users heap scorn on PM after his words about Fidel Castro

The internet's honeymoon with Justin Trudeau comes to an end after he praises Fidel Castro

Trudeau called Castro a 'remarkable leader:' Twitter imagined what he would say about Stalin

'Deep Sorrow' - Justin Trudeau remembers Fidel Castro as a 'legendary revolutionary' - and prompts backlash online

Cruz, Rubio rip Trudeau for praising Castro

Canadian PM calls Castro 'controversial,' prompting #trudeauelogies

Disgraceful': Canadian PM slammed on twitter for offering Tribute to Fidel Castro

Upset by PM's glowing Castro statement, Canadians deliver #TrudeauEulogies for past dictators

As noted the remarks from the Prime Minister certainly caught the eye of two US politicians with strong ties to the Cuba exile movement in Florida.

First Marco Rubio took to the Internet to take the Canadian PM to task ...

Then came along Ted Cruz with a double shot of twitter tsk tsking

But one didn't have to be a politician to take to twitter to offer a contribution to the theme of the day, as the Trudeaueulogies theme picked up speed like a runaway freight train heading down the mountain side of public opinion.

The Prime Minister spent much of Sunday making his way back to Ottawa following his time at La Francophonie, but there are some early warning signs that he may have more than a bit of damage control ahead of him on a number of fronts. 

A video greeting to CFL fans at the Grey Cup was greeted by a number of boos from some in the crowd, not an unusual thing of late at sporting events in any country, but still a little different reaction that he might be used to.

Monday may present a most challenging day for Mr. Trudeau and his image.