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“It's time to double down on who we are as Canadians” – Winnipeg Free Press

Posted on by Neons

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau warned at a downtown Winnipeg fundraiser Thursday night that the Pierre Polievre government could bankrupt Canadians and violate their constitutional rights.

“Right now, when we see the retreat of democratic principles around the world … right now is the time to double down on who we are as Canadians,” Trudeau said during an evening with Justin Trudeau at the Fairmont Hotel.

He highlighted hot topics such as the federal budget, climate change and housing amid a slump in the polls 18 months before the election.

THE CANADIAN PRESS/John Woods Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speaks to supporters during a Liberal Party fundraiser at the Fairmont Hotel in Winnipeg on Thursday.

THE CANADIAN PRESS/John Woods

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speaks to supporters during a Liberal Party fundraiser at the Fairmont Hotel in Winnipeg on Thursday.

Trudeau has said that if elected prime minister next year, Poillevre will invoke the clause regardless of legislation that strips away constitutional rights.

“For any federal politician to announce that they are willing to suspend or deny basic rights and freedoms that protect all Canadians at any time is significant,” he told the 119 participants (those 35 and under paid $875 each) who paid $1,725 ​​each. )

The Conservative leader proposed using the clause to protect laws passed by his government from being struck down by the courts.

In his speech, the Prime Minister emphasized the achievements of his government and promised to continue the work if re-elected. The election must be held on or before October 20, 2025.

Among the crowd, which included Winnipeg MPs Dan Vandal and Terry Duguid, as well as Manitoba Métis Federation president David Chartrand, was former Manitoba Liberal Party leader Dugald Lamont.

The prime minister pledged to continue spending money for Canadians, to address the housing crisis and to protect new dental and pharmaceutical programs.

“The Conservatives say we should put our money under the mattress, pay down our debt and do less to support Canadians in these difficult times … our focus as a government has always been to understand that trustworthy countries invest in themselves and in their people,” he said to applause.

The party has been holding fundraisers across Canada for the past few weeks. After Trudeau's speech, Liberal Party president Sachit Mehra, a Winnipeg restaurateur, said May would be the biggest financial gain of the year.

2023 was a banner fundraising year for the Conservative Party, as it brought in more than $35 million, according to reports submitted to Elections Canada. The Liberals brought in just $15 million during that time.

The Liberals are up in arms to regain support after nearly nine years in government as their popularity slumps.

In March in Winnipeg, Poilevre drew a large crowd of supporters at his “tax ax” rally. The phrase doubles as a pledge to eliminate federal carbon if elected to government.

As of April 1, the carbon price was 17 cents per liter of gasoline, 15 cents per cubic meter of natural gas and 21 cents per liter of diesel fuel.

Trudeau relented despite opposition from prime ministers and the Tories.

“Mr. “Polievre is holding up his hands and saying, 'Canada is broke,'” he said. “(Polyevre) is more concerned with winning an argument or gaining power than (helping).”

A small group of protesters picketed outside the hotel, carrying signs reading “Trudeau is a traitor.”

Anne Szymanowski said she's worried about her freedoms under the Trudeau government, and Robin Beliveau said the premier will impoverish Manitoba.

“With all the debt he put on our society with the easy dissolution of CERB, now he's got a dental benefit — he basically blew up Canada,” he said, holding up a placard that read “Traitor – You're Killing.” above.