Close X
Thursday, October 3, 2024
ADVT 
National

Justin Trudeau Slams Politics Of Fear As Ignorant, Irresponsible

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 17 Dec, 2015 11:21 AM
    OTTAWA — Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is condemning fear-mongering by politicians, calling it ignorant and irresponsible.
     
    In a televised town hall meeting sponsored by Maclean's magazine, the prime minister was asked about his reaction to outspoken American presidential candidate Donald Trump.
     
    He first shied away from commenting on another country's election, saying Canada must have a relationship with whoever wins next year's presidential vote.
     
    However, he said, he is happy to share his feelings on the politics of division.
     
    Diversity, he says, makes people stronger, not weaker.
     
    Fear, he adds, doesn't make anyone safer.
     
    "I don't think it comes as a surprise to anybody that I stand firmly against the politics of division, the politics of fear, the politics of intolerance or hateful rhetoric," he said.
     
    Trump, the boisterous businessman who is leading in the polls among candidates for the Republican nomination, has attacked immigration and suggested that Muslims be barred from entering the United States.
     
    Without mentioning Trump's name, Trudeau decried his politics.
     
    "If we allow politicians to succeed by scaring people, we don't actually end up any safer," he said. "Fear doesn't make us safer, it makes us weaker. At this time, when there is reason to be concerned for security around the world and here at home, we need to remain focused on keeping our communities safe and keeping our communities united instead of trying to build walls and scapegoat communities."
     
    Muslims, he said are the greatest victims of terrorist acts around the world.
     
     
    "Painting ISIS and others with a broad brush that extends to all Muslims is not just ignorant, it is irresponsible."
     
    Trudeau also spoke about ways of dealing with the international community that look back to the "soft power" of earlier Liberal regimes and not the harsh rhetoric of the last Conservative government.
     
    The Harper government "spent a lot of time talking about strength and tough and taking swings at all of its opponents," the prime minister said.
     
    "I took a very different approach that was much more inclusive, much friendlier, much more focused on listening and engaging and solving problems rather than creating conflicts and Canadians responded very positively to that," Trudeau said.
     
    "Now, why would citizens in the international community be any different?"
     
    He said you don't always need to be tough.
     
    "So, I don't see being smart and reasonable in how we engage with others as a sign of weakness."
     
    During the hour-long program at the National Arts Centre, the prime minister fielded questions from journalists, the audience and people on social media.
     
    He was quizzed on everything from tax policy to refugees, to his shoes and the latest "Star Wars" movie — which he said was very good.

    MORE National ARTICLES

    Darwin, The Ikea Monkey, To Remain At Sanctuary After Change Of Ownership

    Darwin, The Ikea Monkey, To Remain At Sanctuary After Change Of Ownership
    Darwin — who became famous in 2012 when he was found wandering outside a Toronto Ikea store wearing a shearling coat — has been living at Story Book Farm Primate Sanctuary since a court placed him there.

    Darwin, The Ikea Monkey, To Remain At Sanctuary After Change Of Ownership

    Parti Quebecois Set To Renew Sovereignty Push Ahead Of 2018 Election

    Leader Pierre Karl Peladeau says the party wants to be in a position by the next provincial vote to respond to its rivals' attacks on sovereignty.

    Parti Quebecois Set To Renew Sovereignty Push Ahead Of 2018 Election

    Central Alberta Region Exceeds Air-quality Limits; Environment Minister Shannon Phillips Concerned

    Central Alberta Region Exceeds Air-quality Limits; Environment Minister Shannon Phillips Concerned
    Shannon Phillips said high levels of fine particles in central Alberta pose no immediate health risk, but the findings require immediate action from the provincial government. 

    Central Alberta Region Exceeds Air-quality Limits; Environment Minister Shannon Phillips Concerned

    U.S. Man Charged With Sexual Assault Of 13-Year-Old Girl He Met In Abbotsford Hotel

    U.S. Man Charged With Sexual Assault Of 13-Year-Old Girl He Met In Abbotsford Hotel
    Police in Abbotsford say 33-year-old Joshua Napoli of Newport News, Va., contacted the teen through social media and travelled to the Fraser Valley city.

    U.S. Man Charged With Sexual Assault Of 13-Year-Old Girl He Met In Abbotsford Hotel

    Man Arrested After Ontario Couple Watches Florida Home Burglary Via Web Cam

    Man Arrested After Ontario Couple Watches Florida Home Burglary Via Web Cam
    The surveillance tape helped Lee County sheriff's deputies arrest 45-year-old Thomas Hinton on Sunday, the day after the burglary.

    Man Arrested After Ontario Couple Watches Florida Home Burglary Via Web Cam

    Mina Khtaria Of Surrey To Audition For 'Miss Universe India 2015'

    Mina Khtaria Of Surrey To Audition For 'Miss Universe India 2015'
    Twenty contestants will be shortlisted who will appear on a TV reality show "Miss Diva".

    Mina Khtaria Of Surrey To Audition For 'Miss Universe India 2015'