(Calgary) Prime Minister Justin Trudeau took part in two morning events at the Calgary Stampede on Saturday, including one with his Alberta counterpart, Danielle Smith, at a community luncheon Ismaili Muslim where he flipped some pancakes.
“It is a pleasure to be here with Premier Smith. Thank you Danielle for your leadership,” said Mr. Trudeau in his opening remarks during this first luncheon.
“I would like to thank the Prime Minister for his comments,” replied Mr.me Smith.
The federal prime minister and his Alberta counterpart do not seem to have had time to discuss.
The two leaders had spoken a day earlier in a private meeting, where they discussed Alberta’s concerns over emissions reductions, the goal of establishing a zero-emissions power grid net by 2035 and the BC ports strike.
Praise of the Ismaili community
Instead of talking about politics, Mr.me Smith and Trudeau focused on Saturday on the impact the Ismaili community has had on Canada since its members began settling there in droves more than 50 years ago.
Mr. Trudeau said that the Ismailis still came to express their gratitude to him for the work done by his father, Pierre Elliott Trudeau, who allowed many members of the community to come and settle in Canada.
“It is far more true that my father and I, as well as Canada, owe you a debt of gratitude. Not only for what you have brought to this country, but also for being a shining example of what welcoming people fleeing violence, persecution and fear can do,” he said.
“When we welcome refugees, we don’t just offer them opportunities. We deeply enrich our country thanks to all that this community has done in Canada. »
Mme Smith also praised the Ismaili community for their generosity.
“This Stampede luncheon is further proof of your generosity, which knows no bounds,” she said.
The leader of the Conservative Party of Canada, Pierre Poilievre, also attended the event and spoke. He also planned to partake in a pancake lunch and barbecue later in the day.
Political speech
Trudeau spent a few moments flipping pancakes before heading to his second lunch of the morning, hosted by Calgary Skyview Liberal MP George Chahal.
A large crowd was present to listen to the Prime Minister’s second speech, which took a more political turn.
“The reality is that George needs reinforcements, and I really hope that over the next few years we will elect more Liberal MPs for Alberta,” Trudeau said.
He also urged those who listened to him to continue working to improve Canada in these difficult times.
“The world is currently facing enormous challenges. Whether it’s the return of war in Europe, the destabilization of the world with energy and food prices, climate change which has an increasing impact, especially on forest fires”, declared Mr Trudeau.
“There are plenty of reasons to feel anxious and worried about the future, but there are also so many reasons to be optimistic, positive and ambitious about the country we are fortunate to build every day. »
After his speech, the prime minister was swarmed with people trying to get photos and autographs or to shake his hand.