BATTLE OVER CARBON TAX
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Prime Minister Justin Trudeau made his first appearance in Saskatoon on Wednesday, the second day of the Liberal Party of Canada’s annual caucus retreat. Here’s everything you need to know about what happened, and what to expect when the retreat wraps up Thursday.
TRUDEAU GIVES WORDS OF SUPPORT FOR BRONCOS
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau officially opened the caucus retreat with a short speech in which he addressed the April 6 Humboldt Broncos tragedy, emphasized his government’s record and took a few shots at the Conservative Party of Canada.
“That day, the people of Humboldt suffered unimaginable shock, grief and trauma. They lost friends, loved ones, teammates, coaches and mentors,” Trudeau told almost 200 Liberal MPS Wednesday morning at The Delta Bessborough.
“Canadians everywhere were heartbroken (and) mourned alongside the community. In the wake of this tragedy, Humboldt has shown incredible resilience and strength. Canadians were quick to show their love, support, generosity and kindness in a moment where it was so desperately needed.”
“To the people of Humboldt, we are with you,” he added.
The Humboldt Broncos are scheduled to play their season opener on Wednesday.
Trudeau went on to praise Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland, who was in Saskatoon after returning from North American Free Trade Agreement talks in Washington, D.C. on Tuesday, and his government’s record since taking power.
The prime minister then took several digs at the Andrew Scheerled Conservatives for taking the “same flawed approach” that he believes is “completely unacceptable,” leading the hundreds of Liberal MPS in the hotel ballroom to applaud.
Trudeau is not expected to speak to reporters until Thursday.
MORNEAU, MCKENNA AT EXCLUSIVE FUNDRAISER
Two top federal ministers spent the first evening of the Liberal caucus retreat meeting with around 60 of the city’s staunchest Liberal supporters at an exclusive event for top donors.
Finance Minister Bill Morneau and Environment and Climate Change Minister Catherine Mckenna took part in a discussion — moderated by Saskatoon city councillor Zach Jeffries — at a Laurier Club event, attendance to which is a perk for those willing to donate $1,500 per year to the party.
The Liberals have struggled for years to generate electoral support in Saskatchewan; the party’s only sitting MP in the province is Ralph Goodale, who has represented Regina-wascana since 1993.
“We need to build a greater base of support in Saskatchewan,” Morneau told the crowd while Mckenna said the party has a “huge opportunity to win seats here in Saskatchewan.”
While Liberals have said holding the annual retreat in Saskatoon has a political aspect, it’s not clear if the party will be able to wrest one or more seats away from Conservative and New Democratic MPS next year.
The party is expected to campaign on improving the lives of middle-class Canadians and investing in infrastructure.
Mckenna told the crowd the party could do a better job explaining its ideas.
“The challenge with Liberals is that sometimes we’re too fancy in explaining things,” she said.
PROTESTERS ARRIVE
A small group of protesters carrying signs and wearing yellow plastic ponchos to ward off the chilly rain gathered outside The Delta Bessborough hotel Wednesday morning.
A spokesman said the dozen-odd protesters represented the Union of Canadian Correctional Offices, who are concerned about plans to implement needle exchanges in two federal prisons.
“By doing so, Correctional Service Canada decides to close its eyes to drug use in federal institutions. It chooses to encourage criminal activity inside the walls instead of investing in the care and treatment of inmates,” the group’s flyer states.