WATCH: Justin Trudeau took aim at his political rivals on Saturday during his speech to the Liberal convention. Vassy Kapelos reports
MONTREAL – Justin Trudeau portrayed Prime Minister Stephen Harper as a man who has abandoned his principles and used part of his speech Saturday to reach out to grassroots Conservatives.
Calling them “good people,” the Liberal leader directly addressed Conservative voters – suggesting his party’s intent to siphon off right-leaning votes in the next election.
“As all of you know, the 5.8 million Canadians who voted Conservative aren’t your enemies. They’re your neighbours,” Trudeau told the crowd during his second speech at this weekend’s Liberal policy convention.
“These are good people. People who thought they were sending strong local leaders to be their voice in Ottawa, but got nothing in return but Mr Harper’s voice in their communities.”
One of Trudeau’s biggest targets was the prime minister’s stance on Senate reform – pointing out that Harper vowed never to appoint a Senator and has appointed 57 of them.
“Anyone who put Pamela Wallin, Mike Duffy and Pat Brazeau in the Senate might want to be careful about making judgment a campaign issue,” he said, referring to Conservative attacks on his ability to lead.
After booting his own senators from caucus, Trudeau suggested both the NDP and Conservative visions for the future of the Senate are designed to make Canadians angrier.
He said both NDP leader Tom Mulcair’s plan for abolition, and the Conservative goal of an elected Senate, would require constitutional change.
“Mike Duffy is not worth another Meech Lake,” Trudeau said.
He also went after Harper for his recent reversal on income-splitting – suggesting he did so because it will no longer help him get elected.
“I believe that as a young idealistic reformer, he was a principled man. But over a decade as prime minister, he has abandoned the principles he held dear,” said Trudeau.
Trudeau gave his 40-minute speech to a packed room of about 3,000 Liberal delegates, pausing often for applause and standing ovations. He made little mention of his party’s own policies – only that Canada should have a national target of 70 per cent post-secondary education attainment, and that the federal government should support provincial policy.
He also made implicit reference to the Keystone XL pipeline, which has yet to be approved by the United States – saying Canada must develop “robust environmental policy” that reassures trading partners that resources are being developed responsibly.
And while Trudeau made reference to the “death with dignity” debate, he did not take a stance.
Transport Minister Lisa Raitt, who was attending the convention on behalf of the Conservatives, said Trudeau has to come up with a solid plan to present to Canadians.
“If there’s going to be something different, let’s hear what that is,” she said.
She pointed out that several Liberal policy resolutions involve investments.
“I’m listening to hear what their revenue tools are going to be and how they’re going to figure this out. Because all I’m hearing today is spend, spend, spend. So I want to know if it’s going to be tax, tax, tax to go with it.”
Trudeau said in his speech that tax increases “are not on the table.”
– with files from Amy Minsky
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