Innovation minister hosts Liberal meet and greet in Windsor

It has been a long time since a Liberal presence was seen in Windsor — that is until this past Tuesday.

Navdeep Bains, federal minister of innovation, science and development, made an appearance at the Fogolar Furlan club to meet with both registered Liberals and the public.

Bains called his government’s agenda as “ambitious” and focused on strengthening the working class.

“(We need to) focus on significant investments in infrastructure — $180 billion over the next ten years. Reducing the tax rate for middle-class Canadians by seven per cent and introducing the Canada Child Benefit (have also been important). But also (by) making a big bet on innovation,” said Bains.

University of Windsor law student Bennison Smith said he could not pass up the opportunity to see the minister in person.

“I find Minister Bains to be one of the more articulate (ministers). I find he speaks very well on issues. And he always has a really interesting perspective on his portfolio and on the current goings-on of the government,” said Smith.

Bains said the feedback he gets at these types of events help inform his approach to helping develop Canadian businesses.

“The feedback we’ve been getting is to be very focused and be big. And we’re working on some strategies, like artificial intelligence and machine learning,” said Bains.

He said these sectors represent “opportunities” for Canada to be a global leader.