Image Credit: CFJC Today / Balance of Power

By James Peters

Canada's New Government

Returning MP McLeod says it’s up to Trudeau to quell western alienation

Oct 24, 2019 | 12:22 PM

KAMLOOPS — The returning Member of Parliament for Kamloops-Thompson-Cariboo says Prime Minister Justin Trudeau needs to acknowledge problems that have led to a growing sense of western alienation in Canada.

Conservative Cathy McLeod was the victor in Monday’s (Oct. 21) local vote and will return to Ottawa for a fourth consecutive term.

But Trudeau’s Liberals were also re-elected to government, albeit in a minority position.

That has led to growing rhetoric around alienation of western populations, including from the premiers of Alberta and Saskatchewan, where no Liberal MPs were elected.

McLeod says western residents have genuine problems with their federal government and feel they aren’t being heard.

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She says Trudeau’s own talking points have contributed to that discontent.

“It’s up to the prime minister to make sure that he unites rather than continues to divide,” McLeod told CFJC’s Balance of Power. “I looked again at the campaign rhetoric over the last couple of weeks, and it was very divisive. It was pitting one region against another. He’s got to bring that back together.”

“We all have a responsibility on that issue — all 338 (MPs) — but the prime minister is the one who’s going to be responsible for, instead of the path he was heading down, to try and unite and try and create that sense of who we are as a country.”

Canada’s election map became even more starkly divided Monday, with the Conservatives dominating rural areas and Liberals doing far better in areas that are more densely populated.

McLeod says that’s a concern to her, but notes Trudeau, as the prime minister for the entire country, must balance the needs of those who voted for his party with those who did not.

As an example, McLeod cited gun laws that may make city dwellers feel safer, but make hunters feel they are being criminalized.

“Many of the people in this riding find it offensive, and feel like they’re continuing to target law-abiding hunters, whereas the people in Toronto and urban areas are rightfully concerned about guns and gangs,” said McLeod. “So making sure we message about what is a solution to that issue in a way that respects rural culture, rural needs, but also understands what’s happening in urban areas.”

McLeod added Trudeau’s failure to address the forestry crisis during his last campaign stop in Kamloops is a sign something must change.

“He came to Kamloops and didn’t mention the 6,000-plus jobs,” said McLeod. “When people look at what happened with SNC-Lavalin in Quebec, where they went to the ethical wall, it just doesn’t sit well.”

“He needs to be more cognizant of those issues. Had he spoken to the forestry crisis when he was in Kamloops, it would have certainly made people understand that he’s aware, he knows, he cares.”

Trudeau has said his new cabinet will be sworn in November 20th. He has pledged to work with opposition parties, but maintains he will not enter any coalitions.