Trudeau says Tories down 'path of amplification of anger and misinformation'
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was asked on Monday whether or not his decision to run in the next federal election will be affected by the Conservatives electing Pierre Poilievre as leader this past weekend.
"I think we're seeing a rise of various forms of populism based on anger
and misinformation and disinformation all around the world, in many
democracies," said Trudeau. "We've had many conversations with my fellow
leaders at the G7 and in other contexts about the pressures that
democracies are facing, some external pressures like the pressures put
on us by countries like Russia or China or others, but many of them
internal with people who are frustrated, scared about where the world's
going, worried about their place within it."
"Politicians face a very simple choice: do you allay those fears and
empower people and show them how we're going to build a better future,
or do you amplify those fears for short-term political gain?" Trudeau
said.
"It's the kind of conversations that we had in the 2015 election, and it
looks like the kind of conversations we're going to have again with the
Conservatives choosing a path of amplification of anger and
misinformation instead of actually figuring out how to respond to the
real threat of climate change... of making sure everyone is included in
the economic growth we're creating," he continued.
"That's the discussion that politicians and all Canadians will be
engaged in the coming years, and I'm very excited to be able to lead
those conversations with the team behind me."
The comments come just one day after Trudeau criticized politicians who use "buzzwords, dog whistles, and careless attacks" in a back-handed congratulation to Poilievre on becoming leader.
"We all need to work together. Now is not the time for politicians to
exploit fears and to pit people one against the other. As you all know,
the Conservative Party picked a new leader over the weekend. I want to
congratulate Mr. Poilievre on becoming the leader of His Majesty’s Loyal
Opposition," said Trudeau. "We've been making every effort to work with
all Parliamentarians, and we will continue to do so."
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, in remarks in St. Andrew, N.B., to the Liberal national caucus, responded to the election of Pierre Poilievre as the new leader of the Conservative Party of Canada. #cdnpoli pic.twitter.com/RIcDY7e9Uz
— CPAC (@CPAC_TV) September 12, 2022
"This doesn't mean that we're not going to be calling out highly questionable, reckless economic ideas. What Canadians need is responsible leadership. Buzzwords, dog whistles and careless attacks don’t add up to a plan for Canadians. Attacking the institutions that make our society fair, safe and free is not responsible leadership. Telling people they can opt out of inflation by investing their savings in volatile cryptocurrencies is not responsible leadership."
Source: Post Millennial