Prime Minister Justin Trudeau desires People to know Canada has extra to supply than simply “maple syrup and mountains.”
Throughout a Monday night time look on The Late Present with Stephen Colbert, the Canadian political chief acquired laughs from the viewers as he tried to set Canada aside from the U.S. and boast about what makes the northern nation profitable on the world stage.
There have been additionally a number of extra sombre moments from Trudeau’s look, with the prime minister noting it’s a “powerful time” for a lot of Canadians. A part of the night time’s dialog centered on far-right nationalism and rising political division amongst individuals in each Canada and the U.S.
Colbert stated Trudeau’s essential political opponent, Conservative Celebration of Canada Chief Pierre Poilievre, has been referred to as “the Trump of Canada.”
In response, Trudeau stated Canada will not be exempt from extremist rhetoric or xenophobia. He didn’t cite any particular examples.
“We’re not some magical place of unicorns and rainbows on a regular basis,” he stated. “The issues that we’ve managed to do, we’ve needed to work actually, actually arduous at.”
Trudeau talked about common well being care, ongoing efforts in opposition to local weather change and dental take care of low-income Canadians as insurance policies that “we have now to combat for” regularly.
“There’s a giant argument proper now about whether or not dental care even exists,” Trudeau stated. “We’ve delivered it to 700,000 individuals throughout the nation and my opponent is gaslighting us and saying, ‘Dental care doesn’t even exist but.’”
Earlier this month, Conservative MP Stephen Ellis stated the federal government has failed within the supply of sponsored dental care and claimed most Canadians don’t qualify for protection or should nonetheless pay out of pocket for companies.
The Canada Dental Care Plan is accepting functions from individuals over the age of 65, for youngsters beneath the age of 18 and those that obtain the Incapacity Tax Credit score. Candidates must be confirmed, after which might be enrolled with Solar Life which manages the means-tested plan, which is open to these whose adjusted household internet earnings is lower than $90,000 per yr and who don’t have entry to dental care applications by way of employer plans, non-public protection, or pupil or pension advantages.
Get each day Nationwide information
Get the day’s high information, political, financial, and present affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox as soon as a day.
Further eligibility phases will roll out subsequent yr.
Trudeau’s look comes as he’s set to face a vote on a non-confidence movement within the Home of Commons, put ahead by the Conservatives on Tuesday and coming to a vote on Wednesday. If the vote is misplaced, Canada might see a snap election, however the NDP and Bloc Quebecois have indicated they are going to help the Liberals in defeating the movement.
“It’s a extremely powerful time for individuals in Canada proper now,” Trudeau stated. “Persons are hurting. Persons are having hassle paying for groceries, paying for hire, filling up the tank.”
“Persons are annoyed and the concept possibly they need an election now could be one thing that my opponents try to financial institution on as a result of individuals are taking lots out on me, for comprehensible causes,” he stated. “I’ve been right here, and I’ve been steering us by way of all these items and individuals are typically taking a look at change.”
The prime minister stated he’ll “maintain combating” to help Canadians and added that “Canada’s the very best nation on the earth.”
Trudeau described the nation’s “stunning” wilderness and surroundings, however maintained “Canada is concerning the individuals.”
“It’s a variety of individuals from each doable background who come collectively and — just a little completely different from the melting pot in the USA the place everybody will get to be American — we attempt to rejoice variations, and folks maintain their cultures and maintain their languages.”
Colbert, whereas noting that Canada is America’s “closest ally,” requested Trudeau what the 2 nations combat about.
The prime minister stated there are various “small points that matter” between each international locations, however claimed the U.S. pays an excessive amount of in tariffs on softwood lumber.
This summer season, the U.S. introduced a 14.54 per cent obligation fee on Canadian softwood lumber imports — a rise from the previous 8.05 per cent tariff.
Colbert half-joked that many People additionally cross the U.S.-Canada border to purchase cheaper medicine exterior of the nation.
“We’re blissful to try to assist you to out, however it will be lots simpler should you guys had common well being care,” Trudeau stated, incomes cheers from the in-studio viewers.
In lighter moments from Trudeau’s Late Present look, he joked Canadians, regardless of the stereotype for at all times saying “sorry,” wouldn’t apologize for the nominal variations between bacon and again bacon (or as People name it, Canadian bacon).
Trudeau has been Canada’s prime minister since 2015. This week, he travelled to New York Metropolis forward of the 79th United Nations Basic Meeting. This yr marks the UN’s first-ever Summit of the Future, which gathers world leaders to debate themes together with peace and safety, sustainable improvement, local weather change and human rights.
Trudeau stated attending the Basic Meeting makes him really feel each extra and fewer hopeful concerning the future.
“You must be essentially hopeful on this job, and notably on this time the place challenges are monumental,” he stated of politicians. “However should you don’t imagine you may really work with others and make a optimistic distinction, you then’re not in the precise line of labor.”
—
‘The Late Present With Stephen Colbert’ airs on World at 11:30 p.m. ET on weeknights.
World Information and World TV are each properties of Corus Leisure.
© 2024 World Information, a division of Corus Leisure Inc.
