Justin Trudeau gave an inspiring speech to Liberal Party of Canada members a few days ago.
He made the other federal leaders look dull, dispassionate, old and tired.
Trudeau got a good round of applause from Liberal members when he said the following:
“And as we face these challenges, the only ideology that must guide us is evidence. Hard, scientific facts and data. It may seem revolutionary in today’s Ottawa, but instead of inventing the facts to justify the policies, we will create policy based on facts.
“Solutions can come from the left or the right, all that matters is that they work. That they help us live – and thrive – true to our values”.
So what happened a day later in Richmond B.C., to turn this statement on its head?
What happened to waiting for the National Energy Board to complete its work having heard all the evidence regarding the proposed Enbridge Northern Gateway pipeline?
Instead of tempering his passion with reason and living up to his statement about developing policy based on scientific fact and data, Trudeau, rather insouciantly, said, “My default position is pipeline, sure, but not there.”
The Liberal Party of Canada is a very large tent. Some members are analytical and prefer to wait until the National Energy Board produces its report before making such a bold pronouncement.
If Justin Trudeau wants to be taken seriously by all members of the LPOC, he might want to pause and think first.
Rose Calderon
Trail