Title: Former Minister Critiques Trudeau in New Book

Catherine McKenna, a former cabinet minister, has joined the ranks of critics who label Prime Minister Justin Trudeau as a phony. In her new book, _Run Like a Girl_, McKenna offers a candid portrayal of Trudeau, describing him as condescending and more focused on appearances than genuine leadership.

McKenna specifically criticizes Trudeau's approach to creating a gender-balanced cabinet, suggesting it was merely a form of virtue signaling. "It made it sound like we were there to fill a quota," she stated. This sentiment was echoed by reports following the cabinet's formation, which revealed that five of the 30 cabinet ministers, all women, held junior positions with lower salaries and were ranked lower in the order of precedence.

McKenna is not the first former cabinet member to express concerns about Trudeau's focus on optics. Jody Wilson-Raybould, in her book _Indian in the Cabinet_, and Celina Caesar-Chavannes, Trudeau's former parliamentary secretary, have also raised similar issues. Caesar-Chavannes recounted feeling that her appointment was more about showcasing diversity than empowering her to contribute meaningfully. "Tokenism is very disenfranchising, very dehumanizing," she said. "I’m not allowed to speak to media, I’m not allowed to speak in the house, I’m not being sent anywhere. What kind of trip does that play on your mind?"

The theme of virtue signaling has been a recurring critique of Trudeau's leadership. Chrystia Freeland, a former finance minister, highlighted this issue during an appearance on a talk show, stating, "We lose when people think that we are focused on virtue signaling and identity politics."

Many Canadians have expressed frustration with Trudeau's perceived focus on image over substance. Former ministers like Bill Morneau and Marc Garneau have also indicated that Trudeau was disengaged from policy discussions, prioritizing performance over governance. McKenna echoed this sentiment, describing Trudeau as aloof and more interested in his childhood friends than in his cabinet members.

In contrast, she noted that previous Prime Minister Stephen Harper maintained regular communication with his ministers, particularly on significant issues. McKenna's observations suggest a stark difference in leadership styles, with Trudeau's administration characterized by a preference for pageantry over effective governance.

As McKenna's book sheds light on these issues, it raises questions about the long-term impact of Trudeau's leadership style on Canadian politics and governance.