Trudeau attacks Conservatives, from Poilievre to MPs and candidates, in address to Liberal caucus

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OTTAWA – Prime Minister Justin Trudeau took goal not simply at Pierre Poilievre in a speech Thursday, however on the Conservative chief’s MPs and occasion candidates in a partisan speech forward of the brand new sitting of parliament.

Trudeau spoke to MPs firstly of a two-day caucus retreat in Ottawa. Trudeau often assaults Poilievre, who has gained a big lead in nationwide polls, however not often assaults particular Conservative MPs or candidates.

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He mentioned Poilievre solely appears to be welcoming occasion insiders or ideologues into his model of the Conservative occasion. He known as out MP Branden Leslie, who gained for the occasion within the Manitoba seat of Portage Lisgar, for being towards a ban on conversion remedy. He additionally named MP Leslyn Lewis, who has sponsored a parliamentary petition calling for Canada to depart the UN.

“Leslyn Lewis, who dines with far proper German politicians and leads the decision to withdraw Canada from the United Nations doesn’t converse for Canada, she might converse for the Conservative Celebration of Canada, however she doesn’t converse for Canada.”

Lewis has sponsored a parliamentary petition calling for Canada to depart the UN.

Trudeau advised Poilievre is choosing candidates who will symbolize the occasion’s views as a substitute of these of their constituents.

“They welcome Roman Baber as a candidate within the GTA regardless that his extremism acquired him kicked out of Ontario’s Conservative Celebration. Their new MP in Oxford was a handpicked insider who’d by no means been to the using.”

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Trudeau’s caucus has been break up in latest weeks over the battle in Gaza. A number of MPs have known as on Canada to oppose South Africa’s push to have Israel’s actions declared a genocide on the Worldwide Courtroom of Justice, whereas different MPs have mentioned the federal government ought to let the court docket resolve.

The prime minister has been obscure saying solely that Canada helps the ICJ, however that doesn’t imply it accepts “the premise” of South Africa’s prices. A preliminary ruling in that case is anticipated Friday.

Trudeau mentioned the dispute in caucus is a part of their energy, as a result of they’re bringing various views to the desk.

“We now have a variety of voices and views on some fairly huge points together with across the Center East. However after all, Canadians maintain a variety of views and views on such troublesome points.”

Trudeau additionally repeated earlier assaults towards the Conservatives arguing they don’t help Ukraine.

“We’ll get up for our mates. But it surely’s about greater than that. It’s about standing up and standing beside Ukrainians who’re preventing and dying for his or her sovereignty, their territorial integrity, but in addition preventing for the worldwide guidelines primarily based order.”

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He advised Poilievre shouldn’t be giving Canadians sufficient element about what he would do in authorities.

“They don’t discuss in regards to the options that they’re proposing as a result of they’ve none.” he mentioned. “Persons are going through huge advanced issues. They don’t want slogans. They want considerate options.”

Trudeau has confronted some criticism from inside, Liberal MP Ken McDonald instructed media final week he wasn’t certain if Trudeau was the suitable chief and mentioned a management assessment might be a very good factor for the occasion.

McDonald reversed himself on Thursday and a number of other different MPs mentioned they totally help Trudeau as they headed into caucus. Liberal whip Ruby Sahota mentioned she spoke with McDonald about his feedback, however didn’t say what she instructed him.

Trudeau cautioned his MPs to remain targeted on the wants of their constituents.

“There’s numerous distractions, numerous issues occurring round this place that Canadians kind of take note of. However what we now have to concentrate to, and what we do take note of is bringing our communities voices to right here in Ottawa.”

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