Other cabinet ministers also saw the comment as a joke. Asked what he thought about the reference to Canada becoming the 51st state, Innovation Minister François-Philippe Champagne said through a smile, “I’m proud to be Canadian.”While underscoring how integrated the Canadian and American supply chains have become, Champagne also spoke about how significant the in-person meeting was.“Prime Minister Trudeau was the first leader of the G7 to be hosted by president-(elect) Trump, I think that is really significant, that is a testament to the strategic nature of our relationship,” said Champagne. “I think it sends a big signal to the world that Canada is a strategic partner.”In an interview on CTV News Channel’s Power Play on Monday, LeBlanc said the federal government will “absolutely” be adding more Canadian Border Services Agency and RCMP “human resources” at the border.The minister wouldn’t lay out a timeline for the additional resources, however, and insisted the work has been ongoing for months. The new measures are not to appease Trump, he also said.When it comes to increased border security measures, LeBlanc said last week he’s been working with the RCMP and border services about “acquiring new technologies,” including drones and helicopters.
Gerald Butts, a former senior adviser to Trudeau, said in a social media post Tuesday that “Trump used this 51st state line all the time with Trudeau in his first term,” and that it’s a dig he uses to “rattle Canadian cages.”“When someone wants you to freak out, don’t,” Butts cautioned.John Bolton, Trump’s former national security adviser, worked closely with him on Canada-U.S. files. He has said the president-elect doesn’t really like Trudeau but “tolerated” him because he had to, given the importance of the bilateral relationship.He said Trump was prone to joking and kidding around with Trudeau and French President Emmanuel Macron, another world leader he is said to have “tolerated,” and “mockingly crossing swords with them in meetings.”
Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc, who attended the Friday dinner at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago club, said Trump’s comments were in jest.“The president was telling jokes. The president was teasing us. It was, of course, on that issue, in no way a serious comment,” LeBlanc told reporters in Ottawa.
Asked what he thought about the reference to Canada becoming the 51st state, Innovation Minister François-Philippe Champagne said through a smile, “I’m proud to be Canadian.”
“Prime Minister Trudeau was the first leader of the G7 to be hosted by president-(elect) Trump, I think that is really significant, that is a testament to the strategic nature of our relationship,” said Champagne. “I think it sends a big signal to the world that Canada is a strategic partner.”
@Background Pony #C107
And most of his “jokes” are just people in denial that he’s serious.
Help fund the $15 daily operational cost of Derpibooru - support us financially!
