(Nanaimo) If Justin Trudeau presented a new plan or vision to his troops gathered in Nanaimo, he was careful not to reveal it to reporters. He simply reiterated the importance of “delivering” – and communicated his eagerness to cross swords with Pierre Poilievre.
The Prime Minister spoke briefly to the media on Wednesday, the final day of the national Liberal caucus meeting.
He did not want to elaborate on what is at stake in the riding of LaSalle—Émard—Verdun, where a fiercely contested by-election is being held.
He also downplayed criticism of his leadership, some of it from within his own camp, arguing that in a caucus, as in a democracy, everyone is entitled to their opinion.
But when asked to explain how the Liberal vision differs from that of the Conservative Party, he became more verbose.
The opposition leader, he insisted, has only budget cuts to offer, and he would scrap measures like the dental care program and early childhood care services.
“I can’t wait to get back to fighting [avec Pierre Poilievre] this fall,” Justin Trudeau enthused at the end of a press briefing lasting just over ten minutes.
On the other side of the country, in Ottawa, the Conservative leader challenged the New Democratic Party and the Bloc Québécois to support a motion of censure that he intends to table to bring down the government.
Parliament returns to Ottawa next Monday, coinciding with by-elections in LaSalle—Émard—Verdun and Elmwood—Transcona, Manitoba.