The crowd waiting to hear from Justin Trudeau on Thursday morning at the Lake Laurentian Conservation Area waited patiently for the prime minister to display his canoeing skills — and then for him to dry off and change clothes.
When he did finally take the podium, with Sudbury MP Paul Lefebvre and Nickel Belt MP Marc Serré at his side, Trudeau showed off another skill – avoiding answers to tough questions.
When a national reporter asked him if he was misleading voters by spending more time talking about Ontario Premier Doug Ford – who is not running in the federal election – than Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer, he launched into a critique of Ford.
“You know who mislead voters? Doug Ford said he was for the people then turned around and cut services for everyone while cutting taxes for the wealthiest,” Trudeau replied, prompting a chuckle from the media. “Andrew Sheer is putting forward exactly the same vision the Stephen Harper lost on in 2015 because Canadians made a different choice.”
When asked why, when he broke promises he made in 2015 about electoral reform and balancing the budget, Canadians should believe he's sincere in what he's promising now, Trudeau again displayed his rhetorical footwork, arguing Canada has a strong credit rating and that he chose spending over budget cuts.
“We made a commitment to grow the economy by investing in Canadians, and that's exactly what we did,” he said. “We were able to lift 900,000 people out of poverty, including 300,000 kids. We've moved forward on some of the most ambitious results ever in protecting our environment by any government in Canadian history my moving forward on reconciliation in ways that are meaningful and tangible and are showing results for indigenous peoples right across the country in true partnership and we've done so in a way that continues to be fiscally responsible.”
Earlier, he announced a promise to protect 25 per cent of Canada's land and of the nation's oceans by 2025.
That contrasts with the Conservatives, Trudeau said, who oppose the cap and trade program to reduce carbon emissions. Referencing Ford, he said cuts to flood management programs and the 50 Million Tree program shows Conservatives don't understand the importance of preserving the Environment.
“Doug Ford focuses on a buck a beer,” he said. “There are Grade 12 students that might not graduate this year because there aren't enough teachers to offer courses ... Doug Ford cut Ontario's pharmacare program – a program that was focused on helping our most vulnerable kids and young adults. Think about that for a second.”
He also unveiled his plan to enable more children to learn about camping, something Northerners appreciate but isn't available to all Canadians.
“Now, the people in this beautiful part of the country know first-hand how great it is to spend your weekends camping,” Trudeau said. “The joy of roasting marshmallows, with the kids are jumping into the lake on a hot summer day. You just can't beat it.”
About 75,000 less privileged kids a year will be able to take part in the program, he said, along with 400,000 other under the Learn to Camp program.
The federal election is Oct. 21.
