Canadian diplomats in the United States have been given orders to stop using life-size cardboard cut-outs of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, despite being recognised for the potential to create “some serious selfie action” according to internal emails obtained by the opposing Conservative Party of Canada.
While the bureaucrats were very much correct about the social media potential, with many selfies making their way online, the inviting imitations have been banned with global affairs official Michael O’Shaughnessy detailing the restriction to the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC).
“We are aware of instances where our missions in the United States had decided to purchase and use these cutouts,” O’Shaughnessy said.
“The missions have been asked to no longer use these for their events.”
While not giving a reason behind the ban, one could likely be the cost, with each individual cut-out totaling $US111 ($144.76), while another could be that some within Trudeau’s Liberal Party weren’t impressed with the figures, with one arguing that “it just doesn’t seem very prime ministerial.”
The Conservative Party meanwhile had a field day with the replicas, stating that they perfectly personified the dreamy PM.
“A life-size, two dimensional cut-out is probably a perfect metaphor for everything that Justin Trudeau represents,” party spokesman John Brassad told the CBC.
“You’ve got the shallow façade, and yet there’s very little in the way of depth or substance there.”
While diplomats might be barred, should you wish to purchase your own cut-out of the 23rd Canadian Prime Minister you can do so here.
