Trudeau and Horgan sidestep pipeline talks in 1st meeting
The 2 leaders, dressed almost identically, focus on economy, wildfires and opioid crisis
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and new B.C. Premier John Horgansidestepped the contentious debate surrounding the future of the planned Trans Mountain pipeline expansion as the two leaders held a firstmeeting in Ottawa.
Instead, the pair said they were focused on issues of common ground, including the economy, the opioidcrisis,raging wildfires in B.C. and reconciliation with Indigenous people.
Trudeausaid they were both "progressive politicians" who have plenty of areas for priority, and that disputes would be worked out.
"Difficult issues come up. We're going to work together to resolve them," Trudeausaid.
Horgansaid he has begun meeting with affected First Nations groups, but he has not yet had thorough briefings from government lawyers on the legal issues at play.
Pointing to the fact 1,400 people are expected to die from the opioidcrisis this year, hesaid today's talks focused on urgent issues, including thewildfire evacuations.
"For today, our focus is on making sure we're helping those who needhelp, and building on the relationship we need to have on those critical issues about helping the middle class and making life more affordable for British Columbians," Horgansaid.
The two leaders were dressed almostidentically, in blue suits, polka-dotted ties and brown shoes. At an earlier photo opportunity, Trudeauquipped that they showed"a lot of compatibility," and Horganjoked that he was colour blind.
The witty banter continued when Horganspilled a glass of water and noted,"Spills can happen anywhere," in reference to the potential for an oil spill with a pipeline.
"We'll get people toclean that up right away!" Trudeaurebutted, to which Horgan shot back: "There's a federal response for that."
Trudeau'sgovernment approved the $7.4-billion Trans Mountain pipeline expansion project last fall, butHorgancampaigned against it and has pledged to fight the project.
But there is little time for Horgan to waste if he wants to stop the project as pipeline-builder Kinder Morgan said just last week that construction is on schedule to begin in September.
NAFTAtalks
Asked about NAFTAtalks that are set to begin next month, Trudeauechoed last week's remarks from Canada's ambassador to the U.S., David MacNaughton.
"A fair disputeresolution mechanism system is essential for any trade deal that Canada signs on to," the prime ministersaid. "And we expect that will continue to have that in any renegotiated NAFTA."
An 18-page summaryreleased by U.S. Trade Representative RobertLighthizerlast week said the U.S. hopes to eliminateNAFTA'sChapter 19dispute resolution panels, which Canada uses to appealduties on softwood lumber and other goods.
It is expected to be athorny issue when talks begin as early as Aug. 17.
Horgansaid NAFTAhas served British Columbians well, but concurred with the prime minister on the critical need for a formal way to settle trade disputes.
"In order to resolve disagreements, you need a dispute mechanism," he said.
Softwood lumber dispute
Horganwas sworn into office last week after defeating former premier Christy Clark's short-lived minority Liberal government with the support of the Green party.
After leaving Ottawa, Horganwill fly on to Washington, D.C., for meetings with U.S. lawmakers and officials about the softwood lumber dispute.
Because softwood lumber is not included in NAFTA, Horgansaid it is important to resolve that dispute before broader trade talks begin.
"We need to get it off the table so that Minister Freeland and federal officials can focus on the larger challenge of the broader trade agreement."
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