Justin Trudeau on Stephen Colbert: ‘It’s a difficult time’ for Canadians – National
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau wants Americans to know that Canada has more to offer than just “maple syrup and mountains.”
During an appearance Monday night on The Late Show with Stephen ColbertThe Canadian political leader drew laughter from the audience as he attempted to distinguish Canada from the United States and boast about what makes the northern nation successful on the world stage.
Trudeau’s speech was also punctuated by darker moments, with the prime minister noting that it was a “difficult” time for many Canadians. Part of the evening’s conversation focused on far-right nationalism and the growing political divide between the people of Canada and the United States.
Colbert said Trudeau’s main political opponent, Conservative Party of Canada leader Pierre Poilievre, has been called “Canada’s Trump.”
In response, Trudeau said Canada was not immune to extremist rhetoric or xenophobia. He did not cite any specific examples.
“We’re not a magical place where unicorns and rainbows reign all the time,” he said. “The things we’ve been able to do, we’ve had to work very, very hard.”
Trudeau cited universal health care, continued efforts against climate change and dental care for low-income Canadians as policies that “we have to fight for” continually.
“There’s a huge debate right now about whether dental care even exists,” Trudeau said. “We’ve provided dental care to 700,000 people across the country and my opponent is manipulating us by saying that dental care doesn’t even exist yet.”
Earlier this month, Conservative MP Stephen Ellis said the government had failed to deliver on its commitments. subsidized dental care and said most Canadians are not eligible for coverage or must still pay out of pocket for services.
THE The Canadian Dental Care Plan is accepting applications individuals over 65, children under 18 and recipients of the Disability Tax Credit. Applicants must be confirmed and then enrolled with Sun Life, which administers the means-tested plan, which is open to individuals with an adjusted net family income of less than $90,000 per year and who do not have access to dental care programs through employer plans, private coverage, or student or retirement benefits.
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Additional eligibility phases will be rolled out next year.
Trudeau’s appearance comes as he faces a vote on a motion of censure The bill proposed by the Conservatives on Tuesday will be put to a vote on Wednesday. If the vote is rejected, Canada could face a snap election, but the NDP and Bloc Québécois have indicated they will support the Liberals in their attempt to defeat the motion.
“It’s a very difficult time for Canadians right now,” Trudeau said. “People are hurting. They’re struggling to pay for groceries, to pay for rent, to get gas.”
“People are frustrated and the idea that maybe they want an election now is something that my opponents are trying to capitalize on because people are really picking on me, for understandable reasons,” he said. “I’ve been here and I’ve led us through all of these things and people are looking for change sometimes.”
The prime minister said he would “continue to fight” to support Canadians and added that “Canada is the best country in the world.”
Trudeau described the country’s wilderness and “magnificent” landscapes, but said “Canada is about people.”
“It’s a spectrum of people from every possible background coming together and, not unlike the melting pot of the United States where anyone can be an American, we try to celebrate differences, and people retain their cultures and languages.”
Colbert, while emphasizing that Canada is the United States’ “closest ally,” asked Trudeau what the two nations were arguing about.
The prime minister said there were many “small issues that matter” between the two countries, but claimed the United States was paying too much in tariffs on softwood lumber.
This summer, the United States announced a Customs duty rate of 14.54 percent on imports of Canadian softwood lumber — an increase from the previous tariff of 8.05 percent.
Colbert half-joked that many Americans also cross the U.S.-Canada border to buy cheaper medications outside the country.
“We’re happy to try to help you, but it would be a lot easier if you had a universal health care system,” Trudeau said, to cheers from the studio audience.
In Trudeau’s lighter moments Late Show On the surface, he joked, Canadians, despite the stereotype of always saying “sorry,” would not apologize for the nominal differences between bacon and back bacon (or as Americans call it, Canadian bacon).
Trudeau has been Canada’s prime minister since 2015. This week, he traveled to New York ahead of the 79th United Nations General Assembly. This year marks the first UN General Assembly Summit of the Futurewhich brings together world leaders to discuss issues such as peace and security, sustainable development, climate change and human rights.
Trudeau said his participation in the General Assembly gives him both more and less hope about the future.
“You have to be fundamentally optimistic in this job, and particularly in this time when the challenges are monumental,” he said of politicians. “But if you don’t believe that you can actually work with others and make a positive difference, then you’re in the wrong field.”
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“The Late Show With Stephen Colbert” airs on Global at 11:30 p.m. ET weekdays.
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