After meeting with transportation workers and local Mayor Matthew Shoemaker on Thursday, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau continued his visit to Sault Ste. Marie, Ont., on Friday.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau rides canoes with local aboriginal leaders on the Saint Marys River in Sault Ste.-Marie, Ont., Friday, Aug. 30, 2024. (Kenneth Armstrong/The Canadian Press)
Trudeau took a canoe trip down the Saint Marys River with Brad Robinson, co-owner and CEO of Indigenous-led Thrive Tours.
The Premier was accompanied downriver by Sault MP Terry Sheehan, another co-owner of the tour company that provided the canoes, Amanda Cora, Batchewany First Nation Chief Mark McCoy and former Chief Dean Sayers.
In an interview with CTV News on Friday after the excursion, Sheehan said he and Trudeau discussed how the region needs to work together on Truth and Reconciliation with a local indigenous leader on the water.
Sheehan described the discussion of the river St. Marys – a traditional transport route for the Frist Nation people in the area – as “hugely important”.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau canoes with local Aboriginal leaders (LR), Past Chief Dean Sayers of the Batchewana First Nation, Brad Robinson, CEO and owner of Thrive Tours, and Chief Mark McCoy of the Batchewana First Nation on the Saint Marys River in Sault Ste.-Marie , Ont. , Friday, August 30, 2024. (Kenneth Armstrong/The Canadian Press)
After the paddle, Trudeau attended the third photo opportunity of his two-day trip to the Sault at Algoma Steel, one of the city’s largest employers.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and the Liberal MP for Sault Ste. Marie Terry Sheehan met with Algoma Steel workers in Sault Ste. Marie on Friday, August 30, 2024 during a shift change. (Supplied/Terry Sheeha)
The prime minister’s visit comes after the federal government announced that Canada would impose a 25 percent tariff on Chinese steel and aluminum.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau meets with Algoma Steel workers in Sault Ste. Marie on Friday, August 30, 2024. (Kenneth Armstrong/The Canadian Press)
He and Sheehan met a number of steel mill employees as they changed shifts, passing out doughnuts, shaking hands and taking photos.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his entourage met a number of steel mill workers, shook hands, took pictures and handed out doughnuts as they changed shifts. (CTV News)
During the meet and greet, Trudeau asked many employees how long they had been working for the company and how they were doing. The prime minister also asked some of them about their children and families.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau meets with Algoma Steel workers in Sault Ste. Marie on Friday, August 30, 2024. (Kenneth Armstrong/The Canadian Press)
After refusing to share Trudeau’s hand, the worker asked the employee why he was upset, and the worker said he was struggling to make ends meet despite having a decent job.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau unsuccessfully tries to win over steelworkers during a contentious exchange at a meet-and-greet with Algoma Steel workers in Sault Ste. Marie on Friday, August 30, 2024. (Kenneth Armstrong/The Canadian Press)
The prime minister responded by telling the man his government was supporting him, citing a national dental care program that was recently implemented and new Chinese steel surcharges that will protect Algoma Steel and other Canadian jobs.
“The 25 percent tariffs we just put in place will help you … and keep you working,” Trudeau said.
“I will invest in you and your work.
The staffer, who had just arrived at the start wearing a Local 2251 T-shirt, reacted defiantly to the premier’s claims of support amid inflation and a shortage of doctors in the region.
“What about the 40 percent taxes I pay and I don’t have a doctor,” he said.
The man added that he pays for dental care himself.
“I think you’re just here for another year, we won’t see you for another year,” said a steel mill employee.
“That’s what elections are for,” Trudeau said in response, realizing his words weren’t changing a worker’s mind.
“I look forward to everyone exercising their right to vote.”
The staffer ended by saying the prime minister and his government weren’t doing enough, then walked away and refused to shake Trudeau’s hand a second time.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau shrugs as he unsuccessfully tries to win over steelworkers during a contentious exchange at a meet-and-greet with Algoma Steel workers in Sault Ste. Marie on Friday, August 30, 2024. (Kenneth Armstrong/The Canadian Press)
“I don’t believe you for a second… You’re not really doing anything for us, Justin,” he said.
“Have a nice day.”
Trudeau wished the man “good luck” and “good day” as he left.
Sheehan touted the trip as a way for Trudeau to speak first-hand with workers before the Labor Day weekend.
“It’s great to be, you know, in Sault Ste. Marie and the Prime Minister have been talking to the workers for the past few days,” he said during his interview on Friday.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and the Liberal MP for Sault Ste. Marie Terry Sheehan met a number of steel mill employees as she changed shifts, shaking hands, taking pictures and handing out doughnuts. (Supplied/Terry Sheehan)
Trudeau didn’t even meet and greet media questions during photo opportunities, something that may become more common in ridings that the Liberals believe are in danger of falling to the Conservatives in the next election.
In addition to photo opportunities, Trudeau attended a planned Liberal fundraising barbecue at Canada’s Bushplane Heritage Center on Thursday night.
With files from CTVNorthernOntario.ca journalist Cory Nordstrom and the Canadian press
