Trudeau, Poilievre trade barbs in caucus speeches as Parliament set to reconvene
Global News
The House of Commons will reconvene on Monday and is expected to focus on the many challenges Canadians have continued to face since last year.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre struck very different tones Friday in speeches to their caucuses ahead of what’s likely to be a heated spring session of Parliament — one describing a “positive vision” for Canada’s future, the other asking, “What’s happening to our country?”
The House of Commons will reconvene on Monday after more than a month away and is expected to focus on the many challenges Canadians have continued to face since last year, including high inflation and rising interest rates, travel delays and a struggling health-care system.
Speaking to his caucus in Ottawa during a three-day retreat, Trudeau acknowledged Canada and the world at large are facing “difficult times,” but said his government would work to “meet this moment.”
“We’re beginning a new year, and more than ever, it’s important to reaffirm our positive vision for a stronger future together,” he said.
“The world is facing a moment and as Liberals, as Canadians, we must meet it.”
The prime minister said a particular focus this spring will be on health care, as premiers across the country call for more federal investment to resuscitate systems that are suffering from long wait times for patients and a shortage of workers.
Trudeau is set to meet with premiers on Feb. 7 to discuss the issue, raising questions about whether a deal may be imminent. Ottawa has repeatedly said any further investment will be subject to improvements led by the provinces and territories, and Trudeau suggested this week he plans to look at bilateral deals with provinces.
“What Canadians are experiencing right now is simply not living up to that promise” of universal health care, Trudeau said, “and we’re going to change that.