Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau’s speech to delegates at the LPC(Québec) Biennial Convention

May 26, 2014

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My fellow Liberals,

It’s great to be here with you in Victoriaville.

What a crowd, what energy. You can’t imagine how wonderful it is to see so many people from across Québec gathered here, confident in the future of the Liberal Party of Canada in Québec.

The last time I was here was during the leadership race. As you know, during that race, I met with Québecers throughout Québec and, let me tell you, it’s great to see so many of these people gathered here in the heart of the province, in Victo.

My friends, this is an important time for our party and our country. In a little over a year, Canadians will be called on to choose a government.

When I see crowds like this all over the country, I know that government will be Liberal.

So today I want to talk about where we’ve come from, the road we’ve travelled together, and especially about where we’re going and the work we still need to accomplish.

When I became party leader a year ago, the task before us was a considerable one.

We got down to work; and we accomplished a lot.

We built a political organization worthy of the 21st century, thanks in part to the work of Québecers like Anna Gainey and Michel Archambault.

The hard work done by Stephen Bronfman’s team made us competitive on the fundraising front. In fact, we can now count on a larger number of donors than the Conservative Party.  This is no small feat.

But most of all, we have built – and continue to build – an amazing team. Men and women from all walks of life and from all areas of the country have joined our Party.

I am especially proud of my Québec team.

Marc, with his sense of service, his sense of adventure, and his scientific mindset.   Stéphane, with his strong intellect and passion for our democracy and our country.

Irwin, an authority in matters of justice and human rights.

Francis, for his leadership of our national caucus and his passion for the environment and our waterways.

Massimo, a force in our cultural communities, on the ground, and on Parliamentary committees.

Lise, a woman of principle who is a strong voice for her region, committed to learning and early childhood.

And Emmanuel… his voice, his energy, that combination of passion and rigour. Not exactly the image of the stereotypical accountant.

A team of which all Québecers can be proud.

I am also proud to be able to count on Dan Gagnier, National Campaign co-chair, and on Marie Tremblay and Pablo Rodriguez, co-chairs for the campaign here in Québec.

But, I am even prouder to be able to count on new blood, very talented individuals who will carry the Liberal banner in 2015. This is only the beginning, but I can already point to individuals like:

François-Philippe Champagne, our candidate for Saint-Maurice—Champlain: a young entrepreneur with an impressive record and deep roots in his region.

Karine Desjardins, for Beloeil—Chambly, who worked in finance on environmental projects and who is also deeply involved in arts and culture.

Claude Boucher, a distinguished diplomat who served as Canadian ambassador to Haïti, and is now a candidate for Lévis—Lobtinière.

Marie-Josée Normand, an actress and writer, and now an expert on financial security and a candidate for Montmagny—L’Islet-Kamouraska—Rivière-du-Loup.

Time being limited, I cannot name every person, but know this:

In the coming elections, the Liberal Party of Canada will not simply be the Party of Montréal.

We will get MPs elected throughout Québec.

We will have the best team of candidates, the best organization on the ground and, of course, the best supporters and volunteers.

My friends, the people’s trust must be earned. We will work tirelessly to build strong ties with our fellow citizens in every riding of Québec.  We will be their representatives in Ottawa and not the other way around.

The Harper government is old, out-of-touch and arrogant.

Like you, I was shocked to hear what had transpired behind the scenes with the appointment of Judge Nadon to the Supreme Court. This is a lack of respect not only toward Québecers, but also toward the institutions of our country. It shows a lack of respect toward Canadians.

Prime Minister Harper has demonstrated time and time again that he is more interested in the fortunes of the Conservative Party than he is in the well-being of our country. His lack of judgement when it comes to respecting the traditions and institutions that support and defend our democracy is, quite frankly, mind-boggling.

It’s become a habit of Mr. Harper. He attacks all who defend us: the Supreme Court, Elections Canada, our scientists, our researchers, and even our veterans.

For his part, Mr. Mulcair talks about the Senate and wants to re-open the Constitution. And it would seem that he is playing a shell-game with public funds dedicated to his parliamentary office.

The problem with the NDP is that it is mistaken on too many critical issues we face: international trade, natural resources, national unity and the economy.

The problem with the NDP is that they don’t get the big things right. On the economy, trade, natural resources and national unity. They take the wrong stands.

Québecers, like all other Canadians, ask us to do politics differently. They expect more and better from us.

That is precisely what we will offer them: an honest government that brings people together rather than dividing them; a government that is obsessed not with fighting its political opponents but with ensuring the success of all Canadians.

At the onset of the debate on the PQ’s Charter of Values, I was among the first to say that Québecers would reject a policy of division; which they clearly did last month.

I’m not saying this to taunt the PQ. I say this so that we will always remember to trust in the judgement of Québecers; we who are a nation with pride and confidence in the future.

There is a lesson to be learned here.

Hope always triumphs over fear.

Instead of inspiring distrust and envy, we must bring out the best in each of us and see what we can accomplish together.

We’ve got our work cut out for us my friends.

The middle class is struggling in Canada.

Statistics show that middle class family incomes are stagnant. Household debt has reached worrisome heights. It is increasingly difficult to find property in the city.  Young people have difficulty finding a good job. People who have worked their whole lives realize that they may not have enough saved up to retire.

For the first time in a long time, parents worry that their children will have a future less promising than their own.

Meanwhile in Ottawa, Mr. Harper insists that all is well. And, Mr. Mulcair wants to re-open the Constitution.  As we say here in Québec, they’re way off base.

A few weeks ago, I gave a speech on the economy in Vancouver.

In this speech, I outlined the priorities of a Liberal government.

If our middle class is to succeed, we must create the right conditions for long-term, sustainable economic growth from which the middle class will benefit. It’s not rocket science.

We must first invest in our most valuable resource, Canadians, by ensuring that we become the most educated country in the world. Ottawa does not manage the education system – for good reasons – but, with the provinces, we can set some ambitious objectives.

We must increase and diversify our exports and help our companies conquer emerging markets such as those in Asia.

We must invest in our infrastructure, not only because this creates jobs but also because it allows us to attract investments and improve our fellow citizens’ quality of life.

As we saw in the case of the Keystone XL pipeline, we cannot expect other countries to buy our natural resources if we don’t take concrete and sustainable measures to protect our environment. The two go hand in hand.

Over the next century, the countries that will succeed economically will be those that seize opportunities for a low carbon emission economy.

Québec is a role model with its hydropower on that score. Canada must become a world leader in green technologies, research and innovation, and it must do more on the renewable energy front.   Marmen, a company I visited in Trois-Rivières, is already recognized as one of North America’s largest manufacturers of wind towers and has contributed to the growth and development of the wind industry throughout the world.

Government has a role to play in the economic development of our regions. We know that small businesses with fewer than 100 employees are the lungs of our regions here in Québec. That is why we need to increase our exports, innovation and marketing.   Before concluding, I want to say a few words about the Liberal Party of Canada and Québec.

For many years, Québecers have observed what is happening in Ottawa with little interest. They do not see themselves in Mr. Harper’s Canada.

To say that Mr. Harper’s government is bad will not suffice. Québecers want a positive choice; a uniting choice. This is what we will offer them.

The NDP has replaced the Bloc as opposition party. We are, for all intents and purposes, back at the starting gate. Mr. Harper is still here.

There are many issues on which I totally agree with our new Premier Philippe Couillard; Québecers’ commitment to Canada being among the most important.

Canada needs Québecers to participate in the federal government.

Wilfrid Laurier, Gérard Pelletier, Jean Marchand, Jeanne Sauvé, Marc Lalonde, Brian Mulroney and Marcel Massé, Jean Chrétien, Paul Martin – these are all Québecers who helped make Canada what it is today. Canada once again needs a strong Québec team.

But we should not bury our heads in the sand either; I am aware that we must rebuild some bridges between Québecers and us – and I’m not just talking about the Champlain Bridge…

I will have an opportunity in the near future to talk more at length about this and in more detail. I look forward to it.

But, I want to say this: should Canadians place their trust in us in 2015, Québecers will not only be present in my government, but they will also be heard!

And there will be not only a Québec Prime Minister, but strong Québec ministers.

We need a strong team so that Québec can once again take its rightful place.

And as Prime Minister, the protection and promotion of the French language will be a daily priority of my government.

As Québecers, we know that we are the heirs to a language and culture that is unique in North America.

With this comes great responsibilities.

The responsibility to protect, of course, but also to nourish, cultivate, encourage, enrich and promote this identity of which we are so proud.

Films, books, theatre, visual arts – all are important vehicles that allow us to be who we are.

French television, radio and websites as well.

That is why, should we form a government, we will never cut Radio-Canada’s budget as Mr. Harper has done.  We will protect the institutions that are vital to a thriving French community throughout Canada.

My friends – I want to re-engage Québecers in Canada but, for this to be possible, Québecers must feel they can contribute and recognize themselves in their country, Canada.

That is the challenge we must face together.

The second most important Canadian Prime Minister, Wilfrid Laurier, who was an MP from here, said that a Liberal always trusts in the future.

We have a golden opportunity before us: offering all Canadians a uniting project and real change.

I know that Québecers want to build a stronger Canada for everyone.

And I know that, if we work hard and stick to our values and beliefs, we will succeed.

Thank you.