PM will work with B.C. on Trans Mtn.

Trudeau suggested B.C. NDP, Greens ‘wrong’ in their position

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says he’ll work with British Columbia and Alberta to move ahead with his government’s agenda of creating jobs while transitioning toward a lower-carbon economy.

Trudeau was asked on Friday about the possibility that B.C. could wind up with a government that opposes the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion. He suggested the province’s NDP and Greens, who oppose the project, are “wrong” in their position.

“Canadians understand that we need to both protect the environment and build a better economy at the same time. Anyone proposing a false choice around that is wrong,” he said at an event in Surrey.

The final count from the recent provincial election, including absentee ballots, will be completed next week and the Greens are poised to hold the balance of power if a minority government is confirmed.

After general and advance votes were tallied May 9, the pro-pipeline Liberals held 43 seats, short of the 44 needed for a majority, while the NDP won 41 seats and the Greens took three. But there are a handful of ridings that were decided by fewer than 300 votes and there are 176,000 absentee ballots still to be counted.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is expected to ask Pope Francis for a formal apology for the role of the Catholic Church in the residential school system when the two meet during a private audience later this month.

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission included the demand for a papal apology — to survivors, their families and communities — among the 94 recommendations in its report on the dark history and legacy of residential schools.

Trudeau, who has promised to act on all 94 recommendations, has previously promised to speak to the Pope about an apology, but noted he could not compel him to agree.

“It is a conversation that is going to have to happen between the two gentlemen,” said a federal government official, who spoke to reporters at a technical briefing on the condition that sources not be named.

“Obviously, the Vatican is well aware of the TRC request and they know that’s something that we will be raising, but in terms of advancing that conversation, I think it’s going to have to happen in the room,” the official said.

Canadian bishops have also raised the issue during visits to the Vatican over the last few months.