Liberal leader discusses plans for Canada and Windsor

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By Shelbey Hernandez

Associate Managing Editor

 

 

Justin Trudeau has a number of complaints about the present government.

The federal Liberal leader held a rally at the Ciociaro Club on Jan. 21, where he spoke to hundreds of people about the high unemployment rate in Windsor.

“Windsor’s unemployment rate is the second highest in the country,” said Trudeau, speaking to the crowd. “This is a problem we can’t ignore, but it’s also a problem that can be fixed. What we need now is a plan.”

Trudeau didn’t outline specifically how he would achieve his goals, but he did mention some of what his plan would include.

“We need a smart, economic plan for Canada that includes all regions and sectors,” said Trudeau, who said the plan would take advantage of the manufacturing in Southwestern Ontario. “A plan that gets those cutting edge, Canadian-made exports to global markets, a plan that includes small and big businesses, that includes all Canadians.”

Trudeau also talked about the Conservative government’s delay in releasing the federal budget. It has been widely reported that finance minister Joe Oliver announced the federal budget would be delayed until April. Usually, the federal budget is released in either February or March, but the Conservative government says it has decided to delay the budget’s release because of the dropping oil prices.

Trudeau says this is one example of the government’s inability to run the country.

“On Wednesday last week, the finance minister said falling oil prices would have no effect on the budget. Then the next day he said, ‘Oh wait, yes they actually will,’” said Trudeau. “They’re making it up as they go along. I’m a teacher and their excuses are the political equivalent of, ‘The dog ate my homework.’”

It will be important for the Liberal Party to gain support in Ontario, as the next federal election approaches. In the last two federal elections, the Conservative Party gained more seats in Ontario than in any other province or territory.

Despite the Liberal Party’s challenges in Ontario, there are some Windsorites who think Trudeau will make a great leader, referencing his father, Pierre Elliott Trudeau.

“I think that it’s a long time coming. I’m so happy to see that a member of his family has stepped into the position and is ready to take over Canada,” said Giselle Gereige, a Windsor resident who attended the Liberal rally. “We’ve needed this for a long time, our economy is not where it should be. I’m middle-aged now, but as a young Canadian, we need a focus, our children need a focus. We need something to look forward to and we need future goals.”

Those who were part of Trudeau’s team during the rally said they were pleased with the turnout, noting that the Liberal Party is gaining a growing number of supporters.

“Last night, we had over 600 people in London (and tonight), we had over 350 here, despite a snowstorm,” said Marlene Floyd, the Director of Operations and Outreach for the Liberal Party of Canada. “I think that that really shows the favour of the Liberal Party is changing especially in southwestern Ontario.”

Trudeau’s final message to the crowd was to keep knocking on doors and encouraging Liberal votes in preparation for the upcoming federal election. The federal election is expected to be held in October 2015.