Stephen Harper and Justin Trudeau: The poor judgement scorecard

One of the themes emerging for the 2015 federal election campaign is a leader's judgement.

We saw a hint of that on Monday when Conservative Party Officials questioned Justin Trudeau's after he dropped the f-bomb at a charity boxing match over the weekend.

Trudeau countered, questioning Stephen Harper's judgement over the sudden resignation of the prime minister's hand-picked Conservative Party executive director Dimitri Soudas. Soudas resigned on Sunday after allegations emerged of him interfering with a nomination battle in Oakville involving his fiance MP Eve Adams.

"It's yet another example of this government in general, but Mr. Harper in particular, showing poor judgement in his appointments process. Whether its for senators or executive directors or chiefs of staffs," Trudeau told reporters on Monday.

"This is just part of a pattern of a government that has shown itself incapable of putting the right people in the right place."

[ Related: Justin Trudeau shocks with "F-bomb" at charity boxing event ]

But both leaders have had their fair share of questionable decisions in recent years.

For Harper, his judgement errors seem to have to do with the people he surrounds himself with. Maybe it's a little unfair to blame Harper for hiring otherwise impressive people who have let him down but some key people have let him down. Harper has to wear that.

1: Nigel Wright

Since 2010, Nigel Wright was Prime Minister Harper's right hand-man as his Chief of Staff.

That ended last spring when it was learned that he gifted Senator Mike Duffy $90,000 for him to repay taxpayers for improperly claiming living allowances.

Last summer, the RCMP announced that they were investigating the transaction.

Wright denies any wrongdoing.

2: Senators Duffy, Wallin and Brazeau:

After saying he wouldn't appoint any senators, Harper appointed 18 in December 2008. Three of the senators — Duffy, Wallin and Brazeau — are now alleged to have claimed inappropriate expenses and are all under RCMP investigation.

All three senators claim that they're innocent.

To make matters worse for Harper, both Duffy and Wallin were once gallivanted around the country to promote the Conservative Party brand.

3: Arthur Porter:

In 2010, the prime minister appointed Dr. Arthur Porter as the top watchdog for Canada's spy agency.

As explained by the Montreal Gazette, Porter resigned from that post in 2010 after reports suggested that he wired $200,000 to an international arms dealer as part of a botched business deal.

Last February, Quebec's anti-corruption squad issued a warrant for his arrest for his alleged involvement with fraud in relation to a Montreal hospital project. He was arrested in Panama in May.

None of the allegations have been proven in court.

4: Bruce Carson:

Bruce Carson was a senior aide to Harper from 2006 to 2008.

According to a recent CBC report, the RCMP is investigating allegations he illegally lobbied his former government colleagues.

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As for Justin Trudeau, his lapses of judgement seem to come when his emotions get the better of him. Either that, or he tries to be funny.

1: Joking about the deadly violence in Ukraine:

Late last month, in an interview with Radio Canada — after violent clashes that killed dozens in Ukraine — Trudeau actually said this:

He eventually apologized.

2: Admiring China:

At a so-called Ladies Night event in Toronto, in November, Trudeau was asked: "Which nation, besides Canada, which nation's administration do you most admire, and why?"

Here' was his odd response:

3: 'Canada isn't doing well because' Albertans are in power

Who can forget this Radio Canada interview, from 2010, that surfaced in 2012.

Not surprisingly, the Conservatives made hay with the video. They posted it on their website with this quote: "We knew these anti-Alberta attitudes were deeply held within the Liberal Party, we just didn't know how close to the surface they were."

4: Piece of Sh$%:

The f-bomb at the boxing match on the weekend wasn't Trudeau's first brush with foul language in public.

During Question Period in December 2012, Trudeau called then-Environment Minister Peter Kent a "piece of sh$%" after Kent chided an NDP member for her question.

Trudeau later apologized claiming he lost his temper.

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While it's difficult to quantify judgement — it's clear that both leaders are guilty of misjudgments.

So if the 2015 election is fought on judgement, voters will have to decide what's worse: a prime minister who has a significant record of handpicking the wrong people or a prime minister who says really dumb things sometimes.

(Photo courtesy of the Canadian Press)

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