What’s described as a “2018 Justin Trudeau political protest coin” is being offered on eBay by a Surrey, B.C.-based vendor, who says the piece highlights the controversial Trans Mountain Pipeline debate.
According to the listing, the coin’s name – “The Trudough” – is “a nod to Trudeau Sr.,” who was featured on satirical paper money in the 1970s, when the Liberal leader criticized by some for his economic mismanagement was serving his first three terms as prime minister.
Now, four decades later, his son and current Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is on the receiving end of some similar criticism—and satirization.
Designed as a parody of Canada’s $1 coin, the 2018-dated piece featuring the younger Trudeau is about two-and-a-half times larger than an actual “loonie.” With the words “KINDER MORGAN” around the obverse portrait of Queen Elizabeth II, who’s shedding a large teardrop, the piece highlights the Trudeau government’s pipeline deal with the multinational corporation that previously owned the 1,150-kilometre Trans Mountain Pipeline System.
Trudeau’s father, Pierre, was similarly parodied on paper money in the 1970s, throughout most of which he served as prime minister.
PIPELINE CONTROVERSY
Last August, the pipeline and proposed expansion project was purchased by the newly formed Trans Mountain Corp., a wholly owned subsidiary of the Canada Development Investment Corp., which is accountable to Parliament.
Owing to the pipeline’s more than 80 reported spills since 1961 – a decade after it was first commissioned – the reverse of the coin features an oil-covered loon.
According to the listing, which is being sold by user “snow_man1963” for $20 (plus shipping), the coin was acquired at a 2018 pipeline rally at Robson Square in Vancouver.