REGINA - Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was back in Saskatchewan Thursday, this time for events in Regina promoting the recent federal budget.
Arriving in the province following his visit to Manitoba the day before, Trudeau began the day at Sherwood Co-op Harbour Landing, where he touted the affordability measures in the budget for affordability. The Co-op was the backdrop to highlight one aspect of the 2023 budget, that being the grocery rebate.
Trudeau later arrived at the First Nations University of Canada for a nearly two-hour long Budget 2023 Town Hall event on the campus. There, Trudeau took questions from a diverse representation of students and community members in the audience.
But a lot of the topics Trudeau fielded questions on at both the Town Hall event, and at the media availability at the Co-op earlier in the day had little to do with the budget and more to do with the other issues facing his government in the province. At the media availability, reporters wanted to know about the future of the local RCMP Depot and of the Natural Resources Transfer Agreement, among other topics. In his Town Hall appearance, topics also included Indigenous issues, the licensing of foreign health professionals seeking work in Canada, and the war in Ukraine.
Here is a sample of some of the key takeaways from the Prime Minister’s visit to Regina Thursday.
Divided reaction
Perhaps not unexpectedly it was a mixed reception for the Prime Minister in Saskatchewan, a province in which the Liberals do not hold a seat.
While crowds were enthusiastic inside the Sherwood Co-op, and friendly at the First Nations University of Canada event, outside was a different story. A number of protesters gathered outside the Co-op appearance with placards and flags with slogans such as “F*ck Trudeau.” There was also a Canadian flag seen held up upside down.
Trudeau was asked about the reception outside, but he instead pointed to inside and “the number of happy families who appreciate the grocery rebate that we’re announcing today,” pointing as well to $10 a day child care and the Canada Child Benefit.
Trudeau made it clear he wasn’t bothered by any negative reactions he received.
“It’s always great to meet people with a range of voices. There will be people who are more positive, more negative, that’s one of the great things about Canada, it’s one of the great things that politicians can come out and engage with people in such an open way.”
As he departed the Sherwood Co-op, Trudeau was greeted by booing and jeers from the protesters, but simply smiled and waved at them as he entered his automobile and headed off in the motorcade.
No meeting with Scott Moe again
During his last visit to Saskatchewan to a rare earth elements plant in Saskatoon earlier this year, Trudeau was criticized by Premier Scott Moe for failing to inform the Premier he was coming and not arranging a meeting.
As for why there was no meeting with Premier Moe this time either, Trudeau told reporters that they had reached out to Moe’s office in advance and was told he wasn’t in town that day. But Trudeau said he “very much looks forward to seeing him sometime in the future.”
Trudeau added that he thanked Moe for his “leadership particularly on health care,” noting his work as one of the three Premiers leading those talks.
RCMP Depot future
The future of the RCMP training Depot in Regina has been under the spotlight in the past number of days after a recommendation in the Mass Casualty Commission report into the killings of 22 people in Nova Scotia, to close RCMP Depot and replace it with a three year program offered across the country.
Trudeau said they would look "very carefully" at the report recommendations and while the Prime Minister spoke favourably about Depot, he was nevertheless non-committal regarding its future.
"Depot is a Canadian institution just as the Royal Canadian Mounted Police are," he said, citing the great work that Depot does. "We know how important it is for the local economy."
But Trudeau added "we all recognize there have to be changes in how we move forward to ensure communities are safe." He said those are conversations they will continue to have, and they will take things "one step at a time."
Natural Resources Transfer Agreement furore
A major brouhaha that erupted in the past number of days came over the recent remarks to First Nations leaders by Justice Minister David Lametti that he would commit to looking at the Natural Resources Transfer Agreement.
That touched off a reaction from Prairie premiers including Premier Moe that the Feds might review or overturn that agreement. The three premiers issued a joint statement calling on Trudeau to "immediately retract these dangerous and divisive comments.”
On Thursday Trudeau specifically said "we will not be touching the NRTA."
"National resources are constitutionally directed to be the purview of the provinces. We are not putting that into question."
But he did add that what was important was “we all be having real conversations about reconciliation,” and said that is what his government is committed to doing.
Revenue Canada strike possibility
On another issue that could impact Canadians waiting for their tax refunds, Trudeau was asked about the prospect of a strike by workers at Revenue Canada.
“We obviously want to ensure we’re doing everything we can to avoid a strike,” said Trudeau, saying “that’s why we’re working hard at the bargaining table.”
He added public servants had “worked incredibly hard” to deliver services and supports particularly through the pandemic, and acknowledged they faced challenges with the rising cost of living. He also said it seemed to be good news that inflation seemed to be stabilizing and on its way down according to many economists.
“We are of course engaged at the bargaining table and will continue to do so in good faith and hopefully avoid the impact of a strike.”
