Canada’s Trudeau leaves room for oil pipelines to gain local approval

The Canadian government recognise the challenges that a cheap currency poses and will work to ensure the country takes advantage of the low Canadian dollar, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said on Thursday.

“One thing I would say is that we’ve heard the prime minister and the minister of natural resources indicate their openness to listen”.

Robertson cited an announcement one day before Trudeau’s visit by Fisheries and Coast Guard Minister Hunter Tootoo on the planned reopening of the Kitsilano Coast Guard station – closed in 2013 – as one example of the new attitude of cooperation coming out of Ottawa.

Robertson handed Trudeau a photo of the senior Trudeau’s visit to the city 42 years ago.

“Vancouver, like cities across the country will now have a partner in the federal government”, he told a crowd of local politicians, Indigenous leaders, and members of the public.

The visit was largely symbolic, but its importance wasn’t lost on Robertson, the chair of the Big City Mayors’ Caucus, who had long complained about stilted treatment from the last prime minister, Stephen Harper.

The meeting touched on a number of issues, according to the pair.

“We don’t feel that Ottawa should be dictating what particular transit project is going to be needed by the people in Vancouver. These are things we talked about and we look forward to working with the municipality as a strong partner putting up significant funds so we can move forward on things that will benefit Vancouverites and our Canadian economy”.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was all smiles as he took to the podium with Mayor Gregor Robertson. “We are expecting there to be different perspectives and solutions put forward across the country from various provinces and municipalities”.

He said the government has dedicated $20 billion in transit funding over the next 10 years.

Trudeau promises to set up a task force with representatives from the three levels of government and, with input from experts in public health, substance abuse and policing, design a new system of marijuana sales and distribution.

“We are going to get this right in a way that suits Canadians broadly, and specifically in their communities”, he said. “The people to figure that out best are here in this room”.

“I’ve been saying for years that the Great Bear Rainforest is no place for a pipeline and that continues to be my position”.

“We have discussed the federal lands and I’ve expressed my desire to see more affordable housing and complete communities built on those lands”, he said.