Shaping the Canadian approach to Donald Trump
The new federal immigration, refugees and citizenship minister says Canada will continue to take "the opposite approach" of countries like the United States when it comes to its borders.
Just over a week ago, U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order temporarily restricting entry to the United States for travellers from seven predominantly Muslim countries.
"As more and more countries are taking a different approach of closing their borders or not being open to new people or ideas we've chosen the opposite approach, which is being open to ideas, being open to people, being open to talent, being open to skills and investments and we'll continue to have that tradition," Ahmed Hussen told CBC Radio's The House, responding to a question from host Chris Hall about the timing of a tweet from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
The day after Trump signed the executive order, Trudeau sent out a tweet that appeared to contrast the two country's approaches.
"To those fleeing persecution, terror and war, Canadians will welcome you, regardless of your faith. Diversity is our strength," it reads.
It's been retweeted more than 427,000 times and was followed up with a photo showing Trudeau with a child, with the hashtag "Welcome to Canada."
"I think the prime minister expressed the clear sentiments of Canadians. It was an expression of our progressive tradition of being an open country, a welcoming country," said Hussen, who came to Canada from Somalia as a teenager.
"We spread that message throughout the world, not just to one country. We have programs in place to attract and retain skilled immigrants and international students and we will work harder to do that... We will also continue to remain committed to being an open country to those seeking protection."
Not everyone is gushing.
The two main Opposition parties in Ottawa have been critical of the Liberal government's approach to the new U.S. president, for different reasons.
"I think the Canadian government responded very weakly," said Laurier—Sainte-Marie MP Hélène Laverdière
The foreign affairs critic for the NDP believes the travel ban amounts to discrimination and Trudeau should have said as much.
"If you say you're going to stand up for human rights, well you should be ready to speak up," Laverdière said.
Randy Hoback, the foreign affairs critic for the Conservatives, urged Trudeau to "get his ducks in a row" before going after Trump.
"There's going to be other things in other countries that leaders do that we don't like. We don't have a control over that. We can comment on that if it makes sense to comment, but in this situation, it's not affecting Canadians," he said.
"Before the prime minister starts criticizing another country he better look in his own backyard and recognize the problem he has with immigration. We have Yazidi women we've been trying to get in to Canada for how many months now and it seems to be no action on that file."
What's next for electoral reform?
"We will not be pursuing it."
This week, Minister of Democratic Institutions Karina Gould shut down any plans to change the system in which Canadian politicians are elected.
After repeatedly promising the 2015 election would be the last election under the first-past-the-post-system, the Liberal government made an about face earlier this week.
The new mandate letter issued to Gould, released publicly on Wednesday, says "changing the electoral system will not be in your mandate."
"A clear preference for a new electoral system, let alone a consensus, has not emerged. Furthermore, without a clear preference or a clear question, a referendum would not be in Canada's interest. Changing the electoral system will not be in your mandate," wrote Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in his letter to Gould.
"Without the broad support of Canadians to move forward we don't feel like we can and Canadians have said they do value and cherish the democracy that we have in this country and we've listened to them," she told The House.
The Opposition members of electoral reform committee aren't buying it.
"I think it was a lie. I don't know how else to put it," said Conservative MP Scott Reid, a committee vice-chair along with NDP MP Nathan Cullen.
"Maybe initially it was an ill-thought-out promise in that I think he wanted to change the system, but he was only willing to accept one kind of change."
Cullen said the Liberals will pay a political price for reneging on their promise to change the way Canadians vote.
"I don't know the full answer to that question, what's next, but there will be a what's next," Cullen told The House.
"It's OK to get ticked off when you've been lied to, but you can't stay there you have to channel that. And my energy now will be to say: 'This is not acceptable.' There's a hornet nest that's been kicked here. There's a large number of Canadians who care deeply about this issue,"
Green Party Leader and special electoral reform committee member Elizabeth May isn't calling the time of death yet, hoping the government "recalibrates."
"I don't want to give up," she said. "I think they will find rage from Canadians."
More privatized health care? 'Canada is ready for the discussion'
Conservative leadership contender Lisa Raitt isn't closing the door on a two-tier health system for Canada.
"I think Canada is ready for the discussion," the Milton MP said, responding to a question about whether there's room for the private sector to play a larger role.
"My neighbour's son ended up having a gash at a basketball game. They spent six hours sitting in emerg to get four stitches. Is that a good use of time? Is that a good use of the resources? I don't know. But those are things normal Canadians are starting to talk about."
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Raitt said any discussion about introducing more privatization into the health system needs to include the provinces.
"We have to have discussions with provinces. Provinces are the ones who actually deliver the service of health care. And I'm open to having conversations on innovations that make it better for Canadians."
In House panel - Dealing with Trump
It wasn't an easy week for Justin Trudeau's Liberals. They are continuing to learn to deal with the uncertainty that comes with the presidency of Donald Trump. They also broke a key campaign promise when they announced they were abandoning the idea of changing the electoral system.
Our In House panelists tackled both topics.
Under pressure from the NDP, human rights groups and refugee lawyers to bring more asylum-seekers to Canada, the federal government said Canada's plan will not change in response to an executive order by Trump that suspends the U.S. refugee program and bars entry to nationals from seven Muslim-majority countries.
"I think the government has responded more in style than substance, but I think that's still significant, especially when you're dealing a Donald Trump who seems to make policy on Twitter and announce things online all the time, " said the Globe and Mail's Laura Stone.
While Prime Minister Justin Trudeau sent a positive message with a weekend tweet underscoring Canada's commitment to welcoming refugees, iPolitics and the Toronto Star columnist Susan Delacourt argued the tactic might not be sustainable.
"I don't know how long he can play this game," she said.
"I think what is consuming them (the government) at the moment is trying to get this meeting under way between Trump and Trudeau," she added.
That first meeting is set to take place in the near future in the United States.