Last week was a busy one for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Leaks undermining his finance minister surfaced, as did reports that he was courting former Bank of Canada governor Mark Carney. But the biggest splash was in the New York Post, which reported that Canada quietly spent US$6.63 million (C$9 million) to buy a lavish condo overlooking Central Park on Billionaires’ Row in Manhattan, which we later learned is meant to house our consul general, former broadcaster Tom Clark.

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Diane Francis: Lavish condo purchased for consul general in New York epitomizes Trudeau's profligacy Back to video

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Although the apartment isn’t meant for the King, it’s fit for a king. It’s sheer extravagance is annoying, given the state of Canada’s economy thanks to nearly nine years of Trudeau’s spendthrift and irresponsible government.

The condo is 3,601 square feet with access to a pool and other amenities. The carrying costs are eye-popping, too: a comparable apartment in the building costs US$10,064 a month in taxes and US$9,594 in monthly common charges, or US$235,896 per year.

Here’s the New York Post’s a description of the place: “Spanning more than 3,600 square feet, the apartment features an elegant foyer with stone floors and a powder room. That then opens into a spacious living room with an adjacent dining room.

“The separate kitchen is equipped with a wet bar, Cristallo Gold quartzite countertops, custom hand-crafted cabinetry and a full suite of Gaggenau appliances.

“A study next to the foyer includes an ensuite bathroom.

“The primary corner bedroom boasts an expansive walk-in closet and a windowed bathroom adorned in Italian white Venato marble, a free-standing copper soaking tub and custom bronze fixtures. The two additional bedrooms each come with ensuite bathrooms.

“Building amenities are nothing short of luxurious, featuring an 82-foot two-lane swimming pool with private cabanas, separate sauna and treatment rooms, a double-height fitness centre with a mezzanine terrace, a private dining room with a chef’s catering kitchen and a residents’ lounge with a sprawling terrace.”

Back home in Canada, Trudeau’s irrational immigration policy has made housing unaffordable for the middle class in cities like Toronto and Vancouver. The demographic flood has also placed a burden on health-care systems, making access to family physicians more difficult than ever. And taxes are now obscene, even though the military is falling apart.

This insensitive, unnecessary profligacy characterizes the Trudeau era. He and his gang have thrown financial discipline to the wind, followed woke causes without justification and rewarded loyalists with undeserving patronage appointments.

Justin Trudeau is the Imelda Marcos of democratic leaders. He owes Canadians an apology and a resignation.

Financial Post

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