Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer stands by comments about First Nation communities who oppose energy projects.
Scheer is not apologizing for claiming some communities hold those projects “hostage” and have negative effects on the communities who want to partner with natural resources companies.
The party leader says he’s pushing for a system that allows Indigenous concerns with industrial projects to be resolved so the work can proceed.
“When you see those First Nation communities so frustrated that those projects are not able to proceed because of a small group of people, other Indigenous communities are holding up those projects, I sense that frustration. I share that frustration.”
Meanwhile on the campaign trail, Justin Trudeau says he won’t intervene in the battle over a Quebec law forbidding public workers from wearing religious symbols on the job.
The Liberal leader maintains that he opposes Bill 21 but will stand back while challenges against it play out in court.
“They are, in fact, defending and using the Charter [of Rights and Freedoms] the way it’s meant to be used. It’s there to protect citizens from laws that they feel are unfair and limit their rights and freedoms.”
The law was passed in June and bans workers like teachers from wearing hijabs, turbans, crucifixes and other religious symbols while working.
At the Canadian Club in Toronto, the NDP’s Jagmeet Singh says his government would increase taxes for corporations and the wealthy.
The NDP leader says tax cuts for big corporations and the wealthy lead to more inequality.
“When we don’t contribute to society-i.e. pay taxes–when we don’t contribute, it means we don’t have the roads and bridges we need. It means we can’t invest in education, it means we can’t invest in expanding our healthcare system. It means it hurts people.”
Meanwhile, People’s Party of Canada Leader Maxime Bernier is tweeting that he has submitted his nomination papers for the federal election.
Canadians will go to the polls on October 21st.
