Trudeau to meet with premier, mayor during Winnipeg cabinet retreat

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 16/01/2020 (1560 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

OTTAWA — Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will meet with the “two Brians” Monday, as the federal Liberals hold their cabinet retreat in Winnipeg.

Manitoba Premier Brian Pallister and Winnipeg Mayor Brian Bowman will meet separately with Trudeau on Monday, likely in the morning.

“The prime minister is very much looking forward to having meetings with both Premier Pallister and Mayor Bowman to work together and deliver for the people in Winnipeg and across the province,” Prime Minister’s Office spokeswoman Eleanore Catenaro said in a statement.

“These will be important conversations about making life more affordable for people, protecting the environment and keeping our communities safe and healthy.”

Keystone Agricultural Producers has requested a meeting with Trudeau, but the PMO has announced no sessions with stakeholder groups.

However, as Trudeau’s special adviser for the region, Winnipeg MP Jim Carr will brief cabinet ministers on the major issues and concerns facing residents of the Prairies.

Conservative MP Raquel Dancho said she hopes the cabinet hears about Manitoba’s methamphetamine crisis.

Police officers and nurses have reported being exhausted by dealing with meth-related incidents. Newly elected Dancho (Kildonan-St. Paul) said groups such as the Klinic community health centre and Rainbow Resource Centre have received more requests for help for meth-related issues.

“This is a dangerous situation and they are stretched to the max,” Dancho said Friday.

Ottawa has put up millions for care beds in Manitoba and to boost research on meth. Dancho said it would be “a no-brainer” for the Liberals to fund the Bear Clan Patrol and other front-line intervention programs.

“The federal government, I do feel, is in the position to do significantly more than they are,” she said.

Pallister has said he intends to talk to the prime minister about the federal carbon tax and the Interlake flood channel outlets. Trudeau’s staff said he’ll be receptive.

“The prime minster is always open to working collaboratively with premiers and finding solutions together,” Catenaro wrote.

Most ministers are scheduled to arrive in Winnipeg Saturday. The retreat kicks off early Sunday and continues until Tuesday. 

dylan.robertson@freepress.mb.ca