The Tri-Cities’ two MPs — who are both running for re-election — are speaking out after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau resigned this week.
Ron McKinnon (Liberal, Coquitlam–Port Coquitlam) and Bonita Zarrillo (NDP, Port Moody–Coquitlam) offered contrasting views of the Liberal leader’s decade in the top job, as well as his legacy in Canada.
McKinnon told the Tri-City News on Jan. 8 that he’s saddened by Trudeau’s move, but is proud of him and what the party accomplished, including reducing poverty for children and seniors by increasing benefits and implementing the $10-a-day childcare program nationally.
McKinnon also singled out healthcare policies brought in with the federal NDP like the Canadian Dental Care Plan and Pharmacare.
“He led our country through the pandemic, acquiring vaccines, helping millions of individuals and hundreds of thousands of businesses stay afloat through the economic challenges and global inflation, minimizing long term economic scarring and enabling an economic recovery faster than all the other G7 nations,” McKinnon wrote in his statement.
He also pointed to the environmental policies that now meet or exceed international obligations, and the protection of natural areas and species at risk.
McKinnon said he looks forward to the leadership race. “I’m excited about what this will mean for the future of the country,” he said.
Zarrillo reaction
But Zarrillo, the NDP’s critic for the Infrastructure and Communities, Disability Inclusion and Seniors portfolios, as well as the deputy critic for Health, argued Trudeau overstayed his welcome.
“It was inevitable that Justin Trudeau would step down due to increasing pressures,” she told the Tri-City News on Jan. 7.
“While I respect the decision, the Liberals have once again put themselves ahead of the needs of Canadians with prorogation. Now is not the time to stop the important work in Ottawa as Canada is under unprecedented threats from Donald Trump and his tariffs."
"This is a time when our country needs to stand up against those attack on jobs and our workers,” she added.
Zarrillo also warned that if the Conservatives are elected to form government under leader Pierre Poilievre, the party would cut healthcare, including the dental care program and Pharmacare, and pensions in order to “reward billionaires.”
“Canadians,” she said, “deserve their first federal NDP government — one that works for them, not for the billionaires.”
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