(Quebec) The Prime Minister of Canada, Justin Trudeau, spoke privately with the mayor of Quebec, Bruno Marchand, for around thirty minutes on Tuesday afternoon.
The two men met at Quebec City Hall, where they discussed issues of housing, public transportation, the environment and the cost of living.
This is the second official meeting between Bruno Marchand and Justin Trudeau; they had already spoken privately in January 2023 before going to the commemorations of the Quebec mosque massacre.
During Justin Trudeau’s last visit to Quebec City Hall, the fight against homelessness, affordable housing and mobility were discussed.
Mr. Trudeau had also reiterated the federal government’s commitment to financing up to 40% of the eligible costs of the Quebec tramway project.
There was also discussion of Quebec City’s efforts to obtain international designation as a UNESCO biosphere region.
Those around them say that the two politicians like each other and have good contact; the Prime Minister of Canada considers the mayor of Quebec to be a “progressive leader”.
“Thank you for taking the time during this visit to stop at city hall,” said Mr. Marchand, addressing the Prime Minister on Tuesday. Every time you do it, you know it’s appreciated and it allows us to discuss issues, thank you. »
“There are so many issues on which we are aligned, two progressive leaders who always have something to talk about,” replied Mr. Trudeau.
“We are obviously talking about a fair chance for each generation, but more specifically, about public transport, housing, the environment, economic growth for everyone. This is the work we have to do together,” he added.
Mr. Trudeau will take advantage of his visit to Quebec to make the official announcement of the federal government’s purchase of the Quebec Bridge. The precise amounts of the agreement will be known Wednesday morning.
The bridge built in 1917 must undergo major work.
Protesters
Justin Trudeau then went to the Quebec Garrison Circle on Tuesday evening, where he gave a speech to around fifty Liberal supporters as part of a fundraising activity for the Liberal Party of Canada.
He was eagerly awaited by dozens of demonstrators, including longshoremen from Quebec, locked out for more than 600 days now, who questioned him about the absence of an anti-scab law.
The Liberal government has tabled such a bill, but the text has not yet been adopted. Federal employers can therefore continue to use replacement workers to continue their activities.
“Unfortunately, they stretch a little, and that means that for the longshoremen, and in other places, the conflicts continue,” lamented Yvon Barrière, regional executive vice-president for the Public Service Alliance of Canada (AFPC).
Arrows in Poilievre
Inside, Mr. Trudeau thanked the guests for coming. “I know most of you are not here because you are strong political supporters of the Liberal Party of Canada, but I greatly appreciate the support you are offering tonight,” he said .
He was in the company of ministers François-Philippe Champagne, Jean-Yves Duclos, Marie-Claude Bibeau and MP Joël Lightbound.
Mr. Trudeau spoke of a world in transformation, with “opportunities” to be seized, and contrasted his “optimistic” vision with that of Pierre Poilievre who “exploits the anxiety” of Canadians, even “amplifying” it. with “disinformation” online.
He accused the Conservative leader of undermining the “optimism and ambition” of Canadians.
“This is why I am fundamentally extremely confident about the choice that Canadians will make in the next election. Canadians remain […] reasonable and responsible people,” he declared to applause.
Unusual fact: Mr. Trudeau’s speech was interrupted for several minutes on Tuesday evening when a guest, who felt unwell, had to receive emergency help, only to leave by ambulance.