OTTAWA —
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has revealed what he views as his blind spot as a pacesetter: that he doesn’t “take into consideration political penalties” of some choices he takes. He’s additionally providing new particulars on his plans for parity within the Senate.
In a year-end interview with CTV Information’ Evan Solomon, airing in full on CTV’s Query Interval this Sunday at 11 a.m. EST, Trudeau was requested what he thinks is his largest weak spot as a pacesetter.
He didn’t immediately reply, however when the observe up query of what his blind spot is, Trudeau replied: “Specializing in parts that I feel are apparent, that I do not take into consideration political penalties on.”
For months within the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, the federal Liberals have been dogged by the WE Charity controversy, sparked by opposition questions, together with why the group was granted a deal to manage a $912-million summer time scholar grant program, given the shut ties between WE and Trudeau’s household.
Invoice Morneau resigned as finance minister after revealing throughout one in every of what have been a sequence of committee hearings, that he’d paid again greater than $41,000 in journey bills to WE, and the federal ethics commissioner is constant to analyze Trudeau and Morneau’s involvement across the cupboard desk when the choice was being made to grant the contract to WE Charity.
Throughout the interview, Trudeau was requested why ethics seems to be a constant weak spot for him as a pacesetter, he mentioned that he agrees and has acknowledged he ought to have recused himself from the outset. He mentioned his focus was on “serving to as many individuals as shortly as potential.”
COMMITS TO UPHOLDING PARITY
Within the interview, Trudeau was additionally requested concerning the Senate and his plans for upcoming appointments.
It’s the primary legislative physique in Canadian historical past to realize gender steadiness, although it didn’t occur intentionally. The Senate quietly reached gender parity in November, following the departure of Sen. Norman Doyle. There are presently 47 males and 47 ladies within the higher chamber.
There are presently 11 vacancies, and requested if he intends to uphold the parity reached with future appointments to the Senate, Trudeau mentioned sure.
“That is the best query you’ve got requested me. We will make sure that that gender parity stays on the heart of all the things this authorities does,” he mentioned.
The total interview with the prime minister will air on CTV’s Query Interval this Sunday at 11 a.m. EST.
