Tag Archives: Prime Minister Justin Trudeau
Trudeau says Hunter Tootoo resigned after ‘very difficult situation’
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau had very little to say Wednesday morning after the abrupt resignation of his fisheries minister the night before. “As was announced yesterday, Hunter Tootoo has left the Liberal caucus and resigned from cabinet to seek treatment for addiction issues,” Trudeau said in his first public words on the resignation of the fisheries minister last night. “This was his own choice after a very difficult situation and we’ll have nothing further to say on the matter,” Trudeau said on Parliament Hill, before making his way into his party’s weekly caucus meeting. Trudeau did not specify what kind of addiction issues Tootoo is seeking treatment for, nor did he elaborate on the “difficult situation.” He did not take questions from reporters. Government House Leader Dominic Leblanc has taken over as fisheries minister, the prime minister’s office announced Tuesday evening. Link 10:59
Alaska pushes back on Arctic plan with Canada
Alaska’s leaders in Juneau and Congress had harsh words for a joint March 10 statement from the White House and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announcing plans for new emissions caps on the oil and gas industry and preservation of significant chunks territory in each country’s Arctic. The statement was released as Trudeau made the first official visit by a Canadian prime minister to the White House in nearly two decades. Sens. Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan and Gov. Bill Walker all noted the omission of Alaska in drafting the 10-page agreement in formal statements of their own. The sentiment is similar to comments made following the president’s three-day visit to Alaska last summer, which was used as a vehicle to promote his climate change policies. Read the rest here 12:41
Canada’s new Liberal government says it is currently developing priorities for the lobster industry
Canada’s new Liberal government is in no rush to implement Stephen Harper’s promise aimed at wooing voters in Atlantic Canada during the recent federal election of $20 million in funding for lobster promotion and research. Harper made the pledge Sept. 10 in New Annan, P.E.I. and promised $5 million for research and $15 million over three years to the Halifax-based Lobster Council of Canada to promote lobster sales. Fisheries and Oceans Canada would not address Harper’s promise, saying new Fisheries Minister Hunter Tootoo is developing priorities. Read the rest here 08:44
Liberals to reopen Maritime Rescue Sub-centre in St. John’s
New federal Fisheries Minister Hunter Tootoo and the Liberal government will reopen the Maritime Rescue Sub-centre in St. John’s. The Nunavut MP signed the mandate given to him by new Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in a letter nine days after he was sworn in as the minister of Fisheries and Oceans Canada. The sub-centre was closed in 2012 despite loud outcry from advocates and fishermen. Provincial and municipal politicians — such as St. John’s Mayor Dennis O’Keefe —have lobbied since to have it reopened. Read the rest here 08:32
Trudeau directs reopening of Coast Guard base, action on Fraser salmon
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has formally directed new Fisheries Minister Hunter Tootoo to reopen the closed that had become a flashpoint for local criticism of the Harper government. The Kitsilano base was closed in 2013 – vessels and staff were shifted to Richmond – but pressure from B.C. politicians to reopen it intensified after a slow response earlier this year to a spill of fuel oil from a freighter in English Bay. Trudeau released his mandate letters outlining the priorities for each new federal cabinet minister Friday. Read the rest here 17:00
