Photo: Christine Muschi The Canadian Press “Those who still think that there is a choice to be made between a strong community and a strong economy, who think that there is a choice to be made between a protected environment and a strong economy, do not understand what is the economy of today and tomorrow,” declared Prime Minister Trudeau.
Stéphane Blais – The Canadian Press
3:00 p.m.
- Canada
Canadians will have to choose between “two extremely opposing visions” in the next election, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said during a meeting with Quebec businesswomen on Friday in Montreal.
Justin Trudeau marked International Women's Day by participating in an event with business women gathered at the Sheertex factory in Pointe-Claire.
He insisted on the importance of leaving more room for women in the economy in order to create more wealth.
“To create economic growth, it takes inclusion, it takes values of defense of individual rights, it takes feminism, it takes openness towards difference and others. This is the only way to build an economy that works for everyone. »
“But that’s the economy! »
According to the Prime Minister, his vision of economic development is the opposite of that of his conservative rival Pierre Poilievre.
The Conservatives, he said, “are against our dental care, they are against help with drug insurance, they are against daycares, early childhood centers.”
These same Conservatives, added Justin Trudeau, criticize us for doing “too many social programs” and not “investing enough” in the economy.
“But that’s economics! » launched the Prime Minister.
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“The economy is the ability of people to be able to contribute” and “it’s investing in care for seniors, investing in drug insurance, investing $200 billion over ten years in our health systems” and “this is how we build a strong economy,” explained the Prime Minister.
He added that “those who still think there is a choice to be made between a strong community and a strong economy, who think there is a choice to make between a protected environment and a strong economy, do not understand what the economy of today and tomorrow is.”
The future of the country
In the next federal election, “in a year and a half,” Justin Trudeau said, voters will have to choose between “two extremely opposing visions” of what the future of the country should be.
“It’s going to be a pretty fundamental choice about the kind of country we want to live in” and “how we build an inclusive community or not, a greener economy or not.”
The media could cover the event attended by Justin Trudeau, but journalists were not allowed to ask questions. The Prime Minister instead answered questions from businesswomen present at the Pointe-Claire factory.
A participant asked the Prime Minister what message he wanted to deliver to young Canadian women on this International Women's Day.
“We need them, society needs them” and “we need to ensure that the success and leadership that women are demonstrating are recognized. The work that women do must be recognized and valued,” replied the Prime Minister, adding “that we must be feminist 365 days a year.”
Justin Trudeau also explained that it is difficult to raise feminist boys these days due to the backlash against feminism, especially on the web.
He expressed concern about the rise in the phenomenon of victimization of men in certain communities on social networks.