Max Valiquette's memoir, "Time of My Life," detailing his tenure as executive director of communications for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's office, has captured the attention of officials in Ottawa. The fifth installment of the series was released on Monday. Valiquette's approach to documenting the inner workings of the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) through Substack is a novel method of chronicling political history.

The memoir reflects on the ongoing struggle between political parties over legacy, a practice that has persisted for centuries. Valiquette's writings are expected to provide valuable insights for future historians, although early reactions have been mixed. Some readers express disappointment, suggesting that the initial parts of the series focus too heavily on grievances against the Conservative opposition and the media.

The series opens with a dramatic account of Valiquette's hiring and a tribute to Trudeau's leadership qualities. Critics argue that this introduction was predictable, but it sets the stage for Valiquette's narrative. In the second part, he identifies himself as an optimist, contrasting his viewpoint with what he calls "cynicism."

Valiquette's frustrations with the government's media strategy are evident. He criticizes the PMO for being outmaneuvered by the Conservatives in non-traditional media and suggests that a U.S.-style press secretary could have improved their messaging. He expresses disbelief that the Conservatives, whom he views as traditionally resistant to change, have effectively utilized modern communication strategies.

The third part of the series provides a detailed analysis of a Conservative mini-documentary titled "Housing Hell," which Valiquette claims is misleading. Instead of outlining specific inaccuracies, he focuses on how the documentary's popularity became a significant news story, attributing this to journalists he believes misinterpret social media metrics.

In the fourth installment, Valiquette expresses concern over the Conservative party's use of social media and recounts an incident where he overheard an opposition MP on a flight. The latest part hints at a pivotal caucus retreat in September 2024, where strategies to "re-launch Justin Trudeau" were discussed. However, Valiquette refrains from sharing details about the meeting, instead lamenting the leaks that followed, particularly targeting a journalist he does not name but implies is Althia Raj.

Overall, Valiquette's memoir offers a glimpse into the challenges faced by the Trudeau administration and the dynamics of political communication in Canada.