During Wednesday’s Question Period, the Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau answered a question by Conservative MP Melissa Lantsman by accusing her party of standing “with people who wave swastikas.”
Ms. Lantsman, the MP for Thornhill, north of Toronto, told the House that Mr. Trudeau “fans the flames of an unjustified national emergency” and asked, “When did the Prime Minister lose his way?”
Lantsman had pressured Trudeau about his use of inflammatory language to describe citizens who disagree with him, referring to a statement he had made six years ago.
“Positive, optimistic, hopeful vision for public life isn’t a naive dream…If Canadians are to trust their government, their government needs to trust Canadians,” read Lantsman, quoting Trudeau from 2015.
For comparison, Lantsman then summarized one of Trudeau’s comments from 2021.
“These people…very often misogynistic, racist…women haters, science deniers, the fringe. Same prime minister six years later.”
“It’s possible to respect the right to protest even if you disagree — while condemning the reprehensible symbols used by some who have attached themselves to this convoy. Nazi flags are wrong, always,” Lantsman tweeted on Jan. 29.
He responded by saying, “Conservative Party members can stand with people who wave swastikas. They can stand with people who wave the Confederate flag.
“We will choose to stand with Canadians who deserve to be able to get to their jobs, to be able to get their lives back. These illegal protests need to stop and they will.”
The video of the tense verbal exchange between Trudeau and Conservative MP Melissa Lantsman went viral on social media.
The Prime Minister’s statement earned him a direct rebuke from Speaker Anthony Rota.
“I just want to remind the honorable members, including the Right Honorable Prime Minister, to use words that are not inflammatory in the House,” he said.
Trudeau offered no apology, even when pressed repeatedly by Lantsman herself and other Conservative party members.
Justin Trudeau (L) and Melissa Lantsman – Twitter
Who is Melissa Lantsman?
Melissa Lantsman, 37, became the first Jewish woman to be elected as a Conservative MP from Thornhill in October 2021. She has served as the Shadow Minister of Transport in the Opposition Shadow Cabinet of Erin O’Toole since November 2021.
Lanstman belongs to a Russian Jew family and was raised in Thornhill. She sought the federal Conservative nomination in Thornhill last year after Peter Kent, who had represented the electoral district since 2008 announced his retirement. Thornhill has the highest percentage of Jewish residents in Canada at 7%.
Who is Justin Trudeau?
Justin Pierre James Trudeau PC MP is a Canadian politician who is the 23rd and current prime minister of Canada since November 2015 and the leader of the Liberal Party since April 2013.
Justin grew up with the profound influence of his father, Pierre Elliott Trudeau, and his mother, Margaret Trudeau. He was raised speaking both French and English and has family roots in both Eastern and Western Canada. This background helped spark his passion for public service and shaped his conviction that diversity is Canada’s strength.
Justin Trudeau Age
Justin Trudeau was born in December 25, 1971 (age 50 years), Ottawa, Canada to his parents, Pierre Elliott Trudeau, and his mother, Margaret Trudeau. He stands at the height of 1.88 m
Justin Trudeau Siblings
Justin Trudeau Education
Justin studied literature at McGill University, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in 1994. He went on to complete the University of British Columbia’s education program, and spent several years teaching French, math, and other subjects in Vancouver.
Teaching allowed him to make a positive impact in the lives of young people. He remains committed to hearing the voices of young Canadians, from the classroom to Parliament Hill.
Justin Trudeau Wife and children
In 2002, Justin returned home to Montréal, where he met Sophie Grégoire, a Quebec TV and radio host. They married in 2005 and are now the proud parents of Xavier, Ella-Grace, and Hadrien.
In 2007, he built a community-based, grassroots campaign to win the Liberal Party nomination in the Montréal riding of Papineau. He was elected in 2008, and re-elected in 2011, 2015, and 2019.
Justin Trudeau Career
Justin was elected Leader of the Liberal Party in April 2013. His leadership campaign focused on building a new, truly national movement of progressive Canadians, bringing hundreds of thousands of Canadians into politics, most for the first time. He worked closely with his team to build a plan to create jobs, grow the economy, protect the environment, and strengthen the middle class. With Justin’s leadership, the Liberal plan emphasized fair economic opportunity for everyone, respect for and promotion of freedom and diversity, and a more democratic government that truly represents Canadians.
On October 19, 2015, Justin led his party to victory, winning a majority government with seats in every province and territory across the country. He was sworn in on November 4, 2015.
On October 21, 2019, Justin led the Liberal Party to re-election, earning a second mandate from Canadians.
As Prime Minister, Justin leads a government that works hard every day to continue moving Canada forward. His team is focused on creating good middle class jobs, making life more affordable, keeping Canada’s communities safe, fighting climate change, and moving forward on reconciliation with Indigenous peoples. A proud feminist, Justin appointed Canada’s first gender balanced Cabinet.
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