Photo by Chung Chow
PENTICTON, B.C. — Justin Trudeau celebrated
the B.C. Day holiday Monday at a summer picnic in a park with about 3,000
people in Penticton, of whom many wanted to pose for a selfie with the prime
minister, while others held placards opposed to the Trans Mountain pipeline.
Trudeau said the provincial holiday is a time
to celebrate what brings Canada together, which includes the ability and
willingness to listen to others and tolerate their views.
The prime minister has been in British
Columbia for the past several days where he attended the Vancouver Pride
Parade, visited a farmer's market on Vancouver Island and toured Richmond Night
Market, before arriving Monday in the Okanagan.
He was accompanied by his wife, Sophie
Gregoire Trudeau, on the bandshell stage at Gyro Park with local politicians,
including Penticton Mayor Andrew Jakubeit, local B.C. member of the legislature
Dan Ashton and Richard Cannings, South Okanagan-West Kootenay New Democrat MP.
"Richard and I disagree on some things,
but we agree on a lot of things as well," Trudeau told the crowd.
"One of the things we agree on very much is how politics needs to be done,
which is in openness, in respect, in listening and focused always on bringing
people together."
He said that openness and respect marks the
spirit of B.C. Day.
"That's what gathers us here
today," said Trudeau. "This isn't a political speech. This is a
moment for us to gather and really remember that all the views, all the
different perspectives out there come together in one deep conviction that we
are working together to build stronger communities, a stronger B.C. and a
stronger country."
But he has been met on his B.C. trip with
people protesting the Liberal government's decision to buy the controversial
Trans Mountain pipeline.
In May, the government announced its decision
to buy the pipeline between Alberta and the B.C. coast as well as related
infrastructure for $4.5 billion. The government could also spend billions more
to build the controversial pipeline expansion.
Trudeau said Saturday in Duncan, B.C., the
project is going ahead. He said it represents Canada's aspirations to build a
strong economy and protect the environment.
Penticton resident Cheryl Calderbank said she
wanted to come to the event to observe Penticton's response to Trudeau. She
said prior to the event, there were social media posts in Penticton that
Trudeau would get a rough reception over his government's pipeline stance.
"My belief is no matter what people
think, no matter what everybody's political opinion, he's still our prime
minister and he needs to be treated with respect," she said. "And
it's B.C. Day, we need to celebrate."
Trudeau visited Granny's Fruit Stand early
Monday in nearby Summerland, where he bought local nectarines and berry syrup.
He did not comment on Sunday's news that
Saudi Arabia would expel Canada's ambassador and freeze new trade deals.
Feb-21-2019