After assembly with transit employees and native Mayor Matthew Shoemaker on Thursday, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau continued his go to to Sault Ste. Marie, Ont., on Friday.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau canoes with native Indigenous leaders on the Saint Marys River in Sault Ste.-Marie, Ont., Friday, Aug. 30, 2024. (Kenneth Armstrong/The Canadian Press)
Trudeau took a canoe journey down the Saint Marys River with Brad Robinson, the co-owner and CEO of Indigenous-led Thrive Excursions.
The prime minister was accompanied downriver by the Sault MP Terry Sheehan, the opposite co-owner of the tour firm that supplied the canoes, Amanda Cora, Batchewana First Nation Chief Mark McCoy and former chief Dean Sayers.
Talking with CTV Information on Friday following the tour, Sheehan stated he and Trudeau mentioned how the area must work collectively in direction of Fact and Reconciliation with the native Indigenous chief whereas on the water.
Sheehan described the dialogue on the St. Marys River – a conventional transportation route of the world’s First Nation inhabitants – as “tremendously necessary.”
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau canoes with native Indigenous leaders (L-R) former chief Dean Sayers of Batchewana First Nation, Brad Robinson CEO and proprietor Thrive Excursions and Chief Mark McCoy of Batchewana First Nation on the Saint Marys River in Sault Ste.-Marie, Ont., Friday, Aug. 30, 2024. (Kenneth Armstrong/The Canadian Press)
Following the paddle, Trudeau attended the third photograph alternative of his two-day journey to the Sault at Algoma Metal, one of many metropolis’s largest employers.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Liberal MP for Sault Ste. Marie Terry Sheehan meet with Algoma Metal employees in Sault Ste. Marie on Friday, Aug. 30, 2024 throughout a shift change. (Equipped/Terry Sheeha)
The prime minister’s go to comes on the heels of the federal authorities’s announcement that Canada would impose a 25 per cent surtax on Chinese language-made metal and aluminum.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau meets with Algoma Metal employees in Sault Ste. Marie on Friday, Aug. 30, 2024. (Kenneth Armstrong/The Canadian Press)
He and Sheehan met with a variety of the metal plant’s workers throughout a shift change, they handed out doughnuts, shook palms and took images.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his entourage met with a variety of metal plant’s workers throughout a shift change, they shook palms, took images and handed out doughnuts. (CTV Information)
In the course of the meet and greet Trudeau requested lots of the workers how lengthy they’d working for the corporate and the way they had been doing. The prime minister additionally requested a few of them about their kids and households.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau meets with Algoma Metal employees in Sault Ste. Marie on Friday, Aug. 30, 2024. (Kenneth Armstrong/The Canadian Press)
After a employee refused to shake Trudeau’s hand, he requested the worker why he was upset, and the employee stated he’s struggling to make ends meet regardless of having an honest job.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau unsuccessfully makes an attempt to win over a steelworker throughout a contentious change at a meet and greet with Algoma Metal employees in Sault Ste. Marie on Friday, Aug. 30, 2024. (Kenneth Armstrong/The Canadian Press)
The prime minister responded by telling the person his authorities is offering help for him, citing the nationwide dental care program that was just lately carried out and the brand new Chinese language metal surtaxes that may defend Algoma Metal and different Canadian jobs.
“The 25 per cent tariffs we simply introduced in goes that will help you out … that’s going to maintain your job,” stated Trudeau.
“I’m going to put money into you and your job.”
The worker who had simply arrived for the beginning of his shift carrying a Native 2251 t-shirt, responded with defiance to the prime minister’s claims of help amid inflation and the area’s lack of medical doctors.
“What in regards to the 40 per cent taxes I’m paying and I don’t have a health care provider,” he stated.
The person added he pays for his personal dental care.
“I believe you might be solely right here for an additional 12 months, we gained’t see you round in one other 12 months,” stated the metal plant worker.
“That’s what elections are for,” stated Trudeau in response, realizing his phrases weren’t altering the employee’s thoughts.
“I stay up for everybody exercising the precise to vote.”
The worker completed by saying that the PM and his authorities are usually not doing sufficient then walked away refusing to shake Trudeau’s hand for a second time.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau shrugs as he unsuccessfully makes an attempt to win over a steelworker throughout a contentious change at a meet and greet with Algoma Metal employees in Sault Ste. Marie on Friday, Aug. 30, 2024. (Kenneth Armstrong/The Canadian Press)
“I don’t imagine you for a second… You are probably not doing something for us Justin,” he stated.
“Have a pleasant day.”
Trudeau wished the person “good luck” and a “good day” as he walked away.
Sheehan touted the journey as a manner for Trudeau to talk firsthand with employees forward of the Labour Day weekend.
“It is nice to be, you realize, in Sault Ste. Marie with the prime minister over the past couple of days speaking with employees,” he stated on Friday throughout his interview Friday.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Liberal MP for Sault Ste. Marie Terry Sheehan met with a variety of metal plant’s workers throughout a shift change, they shook palms, took images and handed out doughnuts. (Equipped/Terry Sheehan)
Trudeau didn’t take questions from the media through the photograph alternatives or meet and greets, one thing which will change into extra frequent in ridings the Liberals really feel could also be susceptible to falling to the Conservatives subsequent election.
Along with the photograph alternatives, Trudeau attended a scheduled Liberal fundraising barbecue Thursday night on the Canadian Bushplane Heritage Centre.
With information from journalist CTVNorthernOntario.ca Cory Nordstrom and the Canadian Press
