Trudeau Spends First Annual Truth and Reconciliation day in Tofino

Emma Dietz (G8)

Published Issue 2 2021-2022

Current Events (National)

Intro:

The Prime Minister of Canada introduced a new holiday to recognize the reconciliation process surrounding Canada’s treatment of indigenous peoples. Earlier this year, the light was shined once again upon the horrible circumstances of residential schools when thousands of bodies of children from ages 3 to 16 were discovered secretly buried, in unmarked graves, on the grounds of many of these schools. Justin Trudeau decided to start a new holiday based all on truth and reconciliation. He filled his entire schedule with meetings that day and made it a national holiday. Then, instead of going to the meetings in his calendar, he flew out to Tofino for a couple of days. Not only did he fly out, the meeting in his calendar was also faked.

Why people are frustrated:

Justin Trudeau started an entire holiday only to fly off to Tofino. He spoke about the importance of understanding the residential schools just to barely show up. Worst of all, he lied about it covering up the fact that he went to Tofino, being caught only by people who saw him at Wickaninnish Inn. Even after being caught Trudeau went on to lie about having gone in the first place. Many people are saying that he should have instead gone to the residential schools instead of going on a vacation.

The apology:

Trudeau went on to apologize for what he had done, although it didn’t really help his case as articles called him out on “pretending to care” and later “trying to act woke”. In his apology, Trudeau stated “there was no lie” which disregarded the fact that he jam-packed his entire schedule with fake meetings to go on break secretly.

Defence:

In Trudeau’s defence, he did in fact have meetings on phone with residential school survivors, which would in fact account for having “private meetings” in his schedule. Sadly none of these can be proven. Many people say that the entire focus of the First National Truth and Reconciliation day is being shifted to focus on Trudeau instead of the monstrosity that occurred in Canada. The focus of this day shouldn’t be on Trudeau and his inability to properly handle his schedule. Trudeau did not in fact do anything wrong and did admit that “going on vacation was a mistake”. Many people say “he should have visited Kamloops instead” which may have been a better idea, but when thinking ahead Trudeau couldn’t have guessed that this was going to turn into “A very Trudeau kind of scandal” as stated by The National Canadian Post.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, Justin Trudeau made a mistake going to Tofino on the First Annual National day of Truth and Reconciliation and he should have gone to Kamloops instead. People’s reactions, on the other hand, have overshadowed the true meaning of this day and the reason it was made and have shifted its entire focus on Trudeau going on holiday and contradicting his itinerary. Overall, this entire so-called scandal has negatively impacted Trudeau and the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation.