Sudburians are invited to a community barbecue Monday with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and the rest of the federal cabinet.
Nickel Belt MP Marc Serré said Thursday that he and Sudbury MP Paul Lefebvre will be hosting the event at 5:30 p.m. at Science North.
"The community can meet Justin and the cabinet, so that's pretty exciting," Serré said. "The efforts that Paul and I have been putting in is being recognized by the government by coming here. I think it really shows our government's commitment to Northern Ontario, Nickel Belt and Sudbury."
The prime minister and the cabinet are coming to town for a retreat and will be staying at the new residence at Laurentian University, Serré said. That's likely an attempt to avoid criticism that was levelled after the cabinet's $150,000 retreat in New Brunswick in April.
And this week, Health Minister Jane Philpott admitted it was “inappropriate” to spend $1,700 on a car service to drive her around the Greater Toronto Area for a day, vowing not to do it again.
"The cabinet could have stayed at posh hotel, but they chose to stay at the residence," Serré said.
He said the visit is part of the federal government's focus on getting out to see Canadians across the country and listening to concerns first-hand.
"We've had several ministers who have already come to visit," Serré said, a reference to recent trips to Sudbury by Finance Minister Bill Morneau, Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development, and Minister responsible for FedNor, and, Bardish Chagger, Minister of Small Business and Tourism.
Trudeau was also here in the spring to announce funds for the Maley Drive extension.
"Why not?” Serré said, when asked why so many ministers have visited. “It's the happiest city in the country. So why not come to Sudbury? Paul and I, just this week, hosted MPs from Vancouver, Guelph and Ottawa to SNOLAB. And they were so impressed.
"And I think it reflects our government's commitment to rebuilding relationships with the provinces, the territories, aboriginal communities."
A spokesperson for the prime minister's office confirmed Thursday that Trudeau will attend the final Tragically Hip concert in Kingston on Saturday, then fly to Sudbury that evening after the show.
Serré wouldn't say whether he expected any funding announcements during the retreat, but said he's optimistic about the fall.
"I'm really impressed with the municipalities in the area, and the organizations that have submitted proposals,” he said. “We're getting those proposals through, we're getting the funding. There are blocks of programs out there that are being reviewed and we're really looking forward to some positive announcements in the fall.
"But the focus (this weekend) is on getting ready for the fall session of the House of Commons. It's a jam-packed agenda looking at the priorities in the House."
