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Canada's combat mission in Iraq: A litmus test for Justin Trudeau?

Canada's combat mission in Iraq: A litmus test for Justin Trudeau?

Earlier this year, a political pundit opined that Justin Trudeau was the leader that ‘Canadians wanted to date but weren’t sure if they wanted to marry.’

In other words, they like him as the opinion polls suggest but have some reservations about handing him the keys to 24 Sussex Drive in 2015.

This week, Trudeau faces his latest litmus test with a House of Commons debate on whether Canada should send CF-18’s to to join the U.S.-led coalition in airstrikes against ISIS over Iraq.

To date, Trudeau’s performance on this file doesn’t instill much confidence in his abilities.

First, the flip-flops: Over the past several weeks as is nicely illustrated by the NDP here the Liberals haven’t had a clear message about their position on airstrikes.

Finally, last week, they said they couldn’t support a combat mission without a fulsome debate in the House of Commons. But then, on Friday, Trudeau said the party would not support the airstrikes even before that debate happened on Monday.

[ Related: Justin Trudeau makes case for non-combat role in Iraq ahead of Commons debate ]

Trudeau is also facing criticism for an off-the-cuff and off-colour remark during a Q & A last week where he said that Canada can do better than “trying to whip out our CF-18’s” and show the international community “how big they are.”

"Clearly meant to poke fun at the Harper government, Trudeau’s apparent gaffe showed that he is still not skilled at navigating the tricky waters of international issues," political consultant Marcel Wieder told Yahoo Canada News.

"Mulcair on the other hand offered a reasoned approach that contrasts with the Conservative position."

Others were much harsher than Wieder.

"Is this how an adult, a possible PM, talks? With its mixture of puerile condescension, its smug assurance that any vulgar reference to the Conservatives will “go over” with everyone, it’s an obiter dictum for the ages," Rex Murphy wrote for the National Post.

"We should expect more — both in class and thought — from a national leader, especially when he is speaking in the context of the miseries that have been inflicted by one of the most sadistic collection of terrorists the planet has ever offered."

[ Related: Islamic State raises flag in eastern Kobani, Kurds say town has not fallen ]

This week in a debate in the House and beyond, Trudeau has a chance to redeem himself.

But it won’t be easy.

The most recent poll numbers, suggest that the vast majority of Canadians are supportive of Canadian participation in military air strikes.

Canadians are clearly rallying behind the Conservatives and their message that we can’t sit back and watch others do the heavy lifting.

So, for the first time since becoming leader, Trudeau will have to defend a party policy that is seemingly unpopular.

[ Related: Iraq aid announced as MPs debate 6-month ISIS combat mission ]

Wieder does offer an ‘out’ for Justin Trudeau.

"Unlike Americans where foreign policy has been a major determinate in elections, Canadians rarely have seen this in our elections," Wieder said.

"Domestic issues tend to dominate our elections and as such it may only be one small part of a larger campaign."

But there’s a sense that with the spotlight on him Trudeau’s potential ‘suitors’ are watching him closely.

The crises in Iraq gives him a chance to show-off his leadership qualities. This was — and is — an opportunity for him to convince voters that he can be trusted in crises situations in a sea of differing opinions.

So far, he hasn’t delivered.

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