World

Trudeau Government Spends Big To Send Supporters To Events

David Krayden Ottawa Bureau Chief
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Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s Liberal government racked up more than $150,000 (CDN) in travel bills since 2016 to bring supporters to events promoting the government’s policies.

As CBC News reports, over $75,000 went to flying stakeholders from across Canada to an Ottawa announcement on an official inquiry into First Nations women and girls who are listed as missing.

Last July, the federal government wanted to celebrate its astronaut program by bringing former astronauts and children aspiring to be astronauts to Ottawa. The travel costs associated with that gala event totaled $17,323.

Trudeau often surrounds himself with enthusiastic supporters when he announces policies.

As CBC notes, when announcing the inquiry into the missing women, the government made it clear that the event was about promoting the concept of reconciliation between First Nations people and the rest of Canada, which critics say is really about identity politics.

“Canada is committed to reconciliation with Indigenous peoples,” wrote a spokeswoman for Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada, at the time of the event. “The inquiry is an important step on this path to end the unacceptable rates of violence against indigenous women and girls. Involving survivors and family members and honouring lost ones has been central to this reconciliation process.”

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