Trudeau steps down, Kinew continues to prioritize trade relationships with U.S.

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Manitoba’s premier stated on Monday that the province will continue to work with the federal government and with Justin Trudeau to advance Manitoba’s priorities, despite the prime minister’s new lame duck status. They will work collaboratively with whoever is elected the next prime minister of Canada.

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“The prime minister has made his announcement about his future, but there is still work that we are looking to get done with him before he leaves office,” Kinew said.

“And then of course we will be prepared to work with whoever is next, and that is a comment about who the next leader of this current government is, but we also know that a federal election is coming up, so whoever Canadians choose as their next prime minister, we will be happy to work with them on behalf of you, the great people of Manitoba.”

Kinew spoke to reporters on Monday afternoon over the phone from North Dakota following Trudeau’s announcement to step down as Liberal leader and prime minister. This decision will launch a leadership race to determine his successor and the next leader of the Liberal Party.

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Kinew said he is travelling to several U.S. states this week to meet with American politicians and officials to discuss the trade relationship between Manitoba and the U.S. Donald Trump, who will be inaugurated on Jan. 20, continues to threaten a 25% tariff on goods coming into the U.S. from Canada, and make comments online about Canada becoming the “51st state.”

Kinew says despite Trudeau stepping down, he will continue to prioritize strengthening the trade relationship with Manitoba’s U.S. trading partners, and work to convince U.S. officials of the mutual importance of free trade between the two countries.

“First and foremost our team’s goal is to fight for jobs and stand up for the economy and continue to make sure that the future looks bright in Manitoba,” Kinew said. “So we know there is an important conversation going on, and a negotiation that is going to happen at the federal level.

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“I am focused on the people of Manitoba, on protecting workers and jobs in the ag industry, the transportation industry, and the energy sector.

“We are hearing that Team Canada phrase used a lot over the last few months, and I think it’s important we keep that up, and keep that Team Canada approach when it comes to that trade relationship.”

Kinew thanks Trudeau for his service to the country since first being elected as prime minister in 2015.

“I can tell you as much as anyone else that you make sacrifices and you give up time with your family, and give up many of the best moments of your life in the service of the people,” Kinew said. “And I am sure that being a family person and a dad, time spent away from his kids was the biggest sacrifice he made.

“So we acknowledge and honour that, and we take that seriously.”

— Dave Baxter is a Local Journalism Initiative reporter who works out of the Winnipeg Sun. The Local Journalism Initiative is funded by the Government of Canada.

Have thoughts on what’s going on in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada or across the world? Send us a letter to the editor at wpgsun.letters@kleinmedia.ca

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