Menu

Trudeau

new-justin-trudeau-feb-14-2022

Ottawa Declares The Emergencies Act

, , , , , , , , , , , ,

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is invoking the Emergencies Act.

The Act allows the Federal government to have additional powers that would assist with the handling of the protests have that have been happening across Canada.

Originally, the War Measures Act was in it’s place throughout the 1980’s.

It was defined to be used during a national emergency that was considered temporary.

The Prime Minister is able to use this act in scenarios where there is public welfare at risk such as natural disasters, disease, public order disturbances as well as international and war emergencies.

prime-minister-justin-trudeau-cpac-1

Prime Minister Trudeau Tests Positive For COVID-19

, , , , , , ,

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has confirmed he tested positive for COVID-19.

In a tweet issued this morning, Trudeau stated he tested positive for the virus and is feeling fine. He noted he will continue to work remotely while following public health guidelines.

Trudeau is set to deliver remarks during a virtual media availability this afternoon.

In a similar tweet last Thursday, Trudeau announced he had been exposed to COVID-19, and though his rapid test came back negative he would be isolating for five days.

trudeau-election

Trudeau Calls Federal Election For Sept. 20

, , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has announced a federal election for Sept. 20, despite growing concerns over Canada’s fourth wave of COVID-19.

Trudeau, accompanied by his family, met with recently installed Governor General Mary Simon at Rideau Hall in Ottawa on Sunday morning and asked her to dissolve parliament.

Simon said yes, and thus Canadians are heading to the polls.

“I’m asking you to vote for real progressive leadership, for strong healthcare, for affordable homes, for a clean and protected environment, make your voice heard, have your say, together let’s move forward for everyone,” said Prime Minister Trudeau.

Despite several questions from the media, Trudeau failed to clearly address whether a failure to establish a majority government would result in his resignation.

A minimum of 170 seats is required to secure a majority government.

Fourth Wave of COVID-19

The timing of an election has drawn criticism from opposition parties; however, Trudeau stated Canadians deserve the right to vote on Canada’s pandemic recovery.

“I think it’s right for Canadians to be able to pronounce themselves on where we’re going, how we get through this, and what the next steps are for fighting the pandemic as we face a fourth wave, but also for what the next steps are for rebuilding our community, our society, our country so that it is better and more resilient for years to come,” said Trudeau.

A fourth wave of COVID-19 – driven by the Delta variant – has recently emerged in Canada.

The country is recording an increase in new COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations, said chief public health officer of Canada, Dr. Theresa Tam, on Thursday.

When asked about the safety of holding an election at this time, Tam’s key advice was to continue following public health guidelines.

“You do have to watch the local epidemiology and the local public health advice as well… so that could vary over time. Anyone who is campaigning must observe those best practices.”

“Different rules are being applied in different areas of the country,” Tam added.

What do the polls suggest?

In a recent survey conducted by the Angus Reid Institute, the Liberals remain favoured by Canadians, garnering 36% of the votes. The Tories received 31% of the votes, good for second place, followed by the NDP with 19% and the Bloc Quebecois, who received 7%.

With files from Allan Dearing

new-governor-general-e1625581310341

Mary Simon Appointed Canada’s Next Governor General

, , , , , , , , , , ,

Mary Simon has been named the next Governor General of Canada.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau introduced Simon as the first Indigenous person to serve in the role.

“Today, after 154 years, our country takes a historic step, I cannot think of a better person to meet the moment,” said Trudeau at the Canadian Museum of History in Gatineau, Que.

Queen Elizabeth II made the appointment on the recommendation of Prime Minister Trudeau.

Simon began her address to the public speaking Inuktitut, one of the two languages she speaks.

“ I can confidently say that my appointment is a historic and inspirational moment for Canada, and an important step forward on the long path towards reconciliation,” said Simon. “ this is a moment I hope all Canadians feel part of because my appointment reflects our collective progress towards building a more inclusive, just and equitable society.”

Simon was the first Inuk to hold the position as a Canadian ambassador representing Canada as Ambassador for Circumpolar Affairs and Ambassador to Denmark.

The Governor General Designate addressed her bilingualism that includes Inuktitut and English, but notably does not include fluency in French.

Simon says her experience growing up in the federal government day schools deprived her of the opportunity to learn French despite growing up in Nunavik, a northern area of Quebec.

“I am deeply committed to continuing my French language studies and plan to conduct the business of the governor general in both of Canada’s official languages as well as Inuktitut.”

All eyes will be on Simon as speculation of a federal election continues to circulate through Canada. As governor general, Simon will have the power to dissolve Parliament and send Canadians to the polls.

Chief Justice Richard Wagner has fulfilled the duties of governor general as the administrator since Julie Payette resigned in January.

chrystia-freeland

Feds Announce Date For 2021 Budget

, , , , , , , , , , , ,

We now know when the Trudeau government will deliver its next federal budget.

Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland announced Tuesday that the 2021 budget will be tabled on April 19.

“Canada entered this global pandemic in a strong fiscal position, which allowed our government to provide unprecedented support to Canadians,” Freeland said during Question Period on Tuesday.

“We will continue to do whatever it takes to support Canadians and Canadian businesses and we have a plan for jobs and robust growth.”

This will be the first official budget from the federal government in more than two years.

The 2020 budget was postponed indefinitely after Parliament was suspended for several weeks due to COVID-19.

Opposition parties have been calling on the Liberal government to bring forward a budget.

Justin-Trudeau

PM Doesn’t Want Election, But Insists One Could Be Held Safely

, , , , , , , , ,

There is growing talk about a possible fall federal election with the Liberals set to deliver a throne speech next week.

But Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Wednesday that he does not want an election, and neither do Canadians.

“I know that Canadians want their politicians to be focused on them and their well-being, and I know that all opposition parties want to do a good job of representing Canadians in their views and their concerns and they will look at the throne speech with that in mind,” said Trudeau during a news conference.

Next Wednesday’s throne speech will be followed by a confidence vote, which could trigger a trip to the polls for Canadians.

The governing Liberals would need the support of at least one opposition party to stay in power.

Despite not wanting an election right now, Trudeau said he is confident Elections Canada could make one happen safely.

“I think it’s irresponsible to say that an election would be irresponsible. Our country and our institutions are stronger than that, and if there has to be an election, we’ll figure it out,” he said.

Trudeau pointed to the province of New Brunswick, which held the country’s first election this week since the pandemic began.

“I think I should, and we all should, have tremendous confidence in Elections Canada to be able to bring forward strong measures to keep us safe and allow for the expression of the democratic will of the people.”

TrudeauWageExt-1

Funding For Canadian Companies Developing Rapid COVID-19 Testing

, , , , , , , , , , , ,

Canada’s prime minister says they are continuing to deliver the necessary personal protective equipment across the country to those who need it.

Justin Trudeau says they are working with suppliers around the world but acknowledged the importance of being resourceful within Canada.

“One of the best ways to ensure we have what we need is to make it right here at home. Our government has been working with Canadian manufacturers to make that happen,” he says.

The prime minister added that a Canadian company, retooled to produce face shields, is providing more than half of our supply.

Trudeau says they are now funding four Canadian companies working on breakthrough solutions in rapid testing for COVID-19

He says this is on top of the support they’ve already provided, including a testing kit manufacturing facility in Ontario.

Trudeau says the ‘Industry Strategy Council’ has been set up to take a look at the types of challenges industries face as we look to restart Canada’s economy.

He says it’s being led by Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, Navdeep Bains and chaired by Monique Leroux, a strong business leader with a distinguished career in Canadian finance.

“Minister Bains announced the council’s membership, nine business leaders from across the country who each represent a different pillar of our economy. This team will bring together government and industry as we pave our path forward,” he says.

Trudeau says this includes Desjardins, the first North American financial institution to become a part of this alliance with the United Kingdom.

The Council will hold regular virtual meetings every two weeks over the next 90 days.

 

 

 

trudeau-and-trump-1

Trudeau and Trump Talk Defence Spending

, ,

Our country’s defence spending was a hot topic at a meeting between the Prime Minister and U.S. President Donald Trump.

Speaking ahead of a NATO meeting in London, England, Trump called Canada “slightly delinquent” for not meeting NATO’s guidelines for national defence funding.

Said Trump, “they know it’s important…their economy is doing well, look, it’s to their benefit.”

Justin Trudeau explains the country is spending 1.4% of its gross domestic product on defence, not the 2% target set by NATO.

The prime minister maintains his government is increasing military spending and calls Canada “a solid reliable partner” for NATO.

trudeau-cpac-1

PM Says Little On “Jihadi” Jack

, ,

Justin Trudeau isn’t saying whether Canada will welcome an alleged Islamic State supporter who has Canadian citizenship.

Prime Minister isn’t committing to extraditing the man to Canada from a Syrian jail where he has been held for two years.

“It is a crime in Canada to travel for the purposes of supporting or engaging in terrorism,” Trudeau emphasizes. “We will ensure that the laws are fully enforced.”

However, Trudeau’s Public Safety Minister has criticized the U.K.’s decision to revoke former dual citizen “Jihadi” Jack Letts’ British citizenship.

Ralph Goodale says the government has a responsibility to charge and prosecute terrorists, but isn’t required to make sure Canadian citizens detained in Syria are brought to Canada.

Meanwhile, the Prime Minister says he wishes the SNC-Lavalin affair could have been handled differently.

Justin Trudeau says they’ve taken steps to make sure no government makes the same mistakes.

“Months ago, we asked former Attorney General Anne McLellan to have conversations and consult experts–former Attorneys General, constitutional law professors–to establish a way forward so that neither our government nor any other government ever finds themselves in the difficult situation we found ourselves in.”

A report from the Ethics Commissioner found the Prime Minister did violate ethics rules in the SNC-Lavalin case.

The Prime Minister adds his involvement with the SNC-Lavalin case was about defending Canadians’ jobs.

scheer-cpac-2

Scheer Seeks RCMP Investigation Of PM

, , ,

Andrew Scheer continues to pressure the Prime Minister on his involvement in the SNC-Lavalin affair.

In an open letter, the head of the Federal Conservatives is once again asking the RCMP to investigate the Prime Minister.

“My letter to [RCMP] Commissioner [Brenda] Lucki presents what I believe are significant grounds for an investigation into whether or not Justin Trudeau violated Section 139 of the Criminal Code: Obstructing Justice,” Scheer told media Monday.

The Federal Conservative leader points to recent findings that Justin Trudeau broke ethics rules, and last week’s revelations from Jodi Wilson-Raybould that the RCMP spoke with her about the SNC-Lavalin matter.

“This is an extraordinary development. It means the police, at one point at least, were concerned enough about Trudeau’s political interference to question the former Attorney General.”

The PM has stated that he disagrees with parts of the ethics report, but takes “full responsibility” for his actions.

Scheer previously asked the RCMP to investigate the SNC-Lavalin scandal in February.