Takeaways from Trudeau’s visit to Regina

By John Cairns SASKTODAY.ca

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 Coop, 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.”

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