(Ottawa) The gloves are down. Days ahead of Ottawa’s resumption of parliament, Justin Trudeau signals he intends to fight alongside conservative opponent Pierre Poilievre, emphasizing the contrast between liberal and conservative visions.
Posted 2:39pm Updated 6:13pm
The Prime Minister set the table for the return of MPs who reconvened on Parliament Hill after the holiday break. Just before his caucus session, he attacked the leader of the official opposition – who had skinned him a little earlier on Friday morning.
Mr Poilievre chose to amplify people’s anger, which is real. Instead of offering them solutions, he simply offers them more anger. We will propose real solutions like we did.
Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada
Indeed, yes, the leader of the Conservative Party has suggestions: he “remains in favor of austerity and cuts,” attacked the prime minister before rushing into the chamber where his MPs were gathered.
He continued in the same vein in his speech to the Liberal troops, accusing his Conservative rival of “choosing to say everything is broken without offering a concrete solution”. Then, after addressing a range of issues, he urged his elected officials to remember that a vote could take place at any time.
Because in a minority situation, “we have to be prepared for anything,” argued Justin Trudeau.
Outside, meanwhile, fences were erected around Parliament buildings in anticipation of the weekend marking the one-year anniversary of the start of the “Freedom Convoy” occupation. The police have also increased their visibility.
The National Liberal Caucus continues on Saturday.
The work of the House of Commons will continue on Monday.
Trudeau urges his MPs to comply
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has asked his Liberal faction to address the challenges Canadians are facing with rising living costs, a failing healthcare system and the effects of climate change.
In his 15-minute speech, the Prime Minister also outlined the priorities of his minority government.
Mr. Trudeau specifically mentioned his next meeting with the provincial and territorial minister presidents on February 7 to discuss federal health transfers.
“You have to be up to the challenges of people like Monique in Quebec, who is waiting for her knee to be replaced,” he said. Improving our healthcare systems is a priority for Canadians and vital to our government. »
Much of his speech focused on economics, with Trudeau presenting the growth of green technologies as a legacy that will benefit future generations.
His Liberal government is expected to introduce what he calls a “Just Transition” bill this year, aimed at developing a carbon-neutral economy with clean energy projects across Canada, while also targeting hydrocarbon sector workers affected by this transition support.
The bill, which has not yet been tabled, is part of the “support and confidence deal” the Liberals struck with the New Democrats last March. With this agreement, the NDP has agreed to support the liberal minority government in key votes in the lower house until 2025.
While the Liberals and the New Democrats have so far been able to work together to create a dental plan, Trudeau reminded his faction to still be “prepared for anything.”
“Stay close to your communities and keep making your voice heard in Parliament and let’s keep being the voice of Canadians,” said Mr. Trudeau. Let’s keep fighting for families. Let’s keep fighting for patients and medical workers and for evidence, science and truth. »
Mickey Djuric, The Canadian Press