A small room in the Dekker Centre in North Battleford was packed Thursday with people wanting hear Justin Trudeau speak.
The Prime Minister was in town to endorse Larry Ingram in the race to fill the Battlefords-Lloydminster seat. In his speech, he said Ingram was someone who knew what challenges face residents of the community. Trudeau also spoke about the government’s commitment to helping the middle class, improving relationships with indigenous peoples, and reducing child poverty.
“What’s really important is that we roll up our sleeves and work together.” says Trudeau, “The federal government, the provincial government, and in particular municipal leadership and indigenous leadership. That’s the only way to build a stronger Canada.”
His speech made an impression on several people there, including the mayor of Green Lake Ric Richardson, who says the Liberal government has helped his community.
“This party spoke to renewable energy, reconciliation with aboriginal issues. They were the only ones who were really talking about doing things for northern economies. Now thanks to some of the policies this government has enacted my community has become the first in Saskatchewan to have our own solar initiative and renewable energy project.”
Ordinary citizens also packed into the event, including Rashid Warraich, who brought his entire family. He said many points in Trudeau’s speech resonated with him.
“He was telling us about the growth of Canada, how we can work together, we should work together and grow more and more.”
The Battlefords-Lloydminster by-election is December 11th.