Justin Trudeau is attacking his political opponents for fostering cynicism among Canadians in an attempt to brand the Liberals under his leadership as the party that will “stand for change” heading into the 2015 federal election.
In an impassioned keynote address that appeared to rouse the party faithful at the Liberal convention in Montreal Saturday, the Liberal leader said he intended to practise the politics of fairness leading into 2015. But he didn’t miss a chance to attack his opponents, particularly on their approach to Senate reform.
Trudeau accused his political foes of exploiting important issues for “partisan ends,” and zeroed in on Prime Minister Stephen Harper, painting him as a former idealist who has lost sight of his principles and judgment during his eight years in office.
“Anyone who put Pamela Wallin, Mike Duffy and Pat Brazeau in the Senate might want to be careful about making judgment a campaign issue," Trudeau said, prompting a standing ovation, one of several throughout the speech.
He also took shots at Thomas Mulcair, saying in touting a plan to open the constitution, the NDP leader has promised “to do something that he knows is not within the power of the federal government to do” on Senate reform. He also suggested such a plan could trigger another constitutional crisis.
“For me, Mike Duffy is not worth another Meech Lake,” Trudeau said.
In contrast, he said, the Liberals “took concrete steps forward” to improve the Senate. Last month, Trudeau booted Liberal senators from his caucus in what he called an attempt to end partisanship within the scandal-ridden Upper House.
Trudeau’s speech to the approximately 3,000 delegates was thin on policy, however, which some have suggested is a deliberate move to keep the Liberals’ cards close to their chest so far in advance of a 2015 federal election.
Trudeau did however, offer a glimpse into the Liberals’ election strategy, citing economic development, trade, climate change, infrastructure and education as possible platform planks.
He said it is a “fundamental economic responsibility” for the prime minister of Canada to get the country’s resources to global markets.
But the way to do that, he said, “is with a robust environmental policy that gives assurances to our trading partners that those resources are being developed responsibly.”
“We must maintain strong relationships with our trading partners so that when we disagree, we can do so respectfully without endangering critical projects of national significance,” he said.
He also branded the Liberals as the party to unify and spur economic growth during a time when “it’s getting harder and harder” for Canadians, and particularly the middle-class, “to get ahead.”
“Canadians don’t expect the government to do miracles," Trudeau said in French. "They know that they can’t deal with all our issues. But what people have ... is the right to expect is that the government help them have a real chance at success."
Trudeau also hinted at a possible plan to address immigration, saying “it’s very dangerous” to view newcomers as “workers, rather than future Canadians.”
“We want people who are going to grow the economy, yes, but we want them to be community builders, nation builders,” he said. “We need people who are going to become strong citizens.”
Trudeau said he is ready for “personal attacks” from the Conservatives in the leadup to 2015, saying Harper will attempt to run a negative campaign.
“Let them focus on me; we’ll stay focused on Canadians,” he said.
