Justin Trudeau on Stephen Colbert: It’s a ‘tough time’ for Canadians
During a Monday night appearance on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, the Canadian political leader got laughs from the audience as he tried to set Canada apart from the U.S. and boast about what makes the northern nation successful on the world stage.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau aims to convey that Canada offers more than just “maple syrup and mountains” to Americans.
During an appearance on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert on Monday night, Trudeau elicited laughter from the audience while attempting to highlight Canada’s unique attributes and its global success.
However, his appearance also included serious reflections, as the prime minister acknowledged that many Canadians are facing a “tough time.” A portion of the discussion revolved around the rise of far-right nationalism and increasing political divisions in both Canada and the U.S.
Colbert remarked that Trudeau's main political adversary, Conservative Party Leader Pierre Poilievre, has been referred to as “the Trump of Canada.”
In reply, Trudeau noted that Canada is not immune to extremist rhetoric or xenophobia, although he did not provide specific examples.
“We’re not some magical place of unicorns and rainbows all the time,” he stated. “The things that we’ve managed to do, we’ve had to work really, really hard at.”
Trudeau highlighted the importance of policies such as universal health care, climate change initiatives, and dental care for low-income Canadians, which require ongoing advocacy.
“There’s a big argument right now about whether dental care even exists,” he said. “We’ve delivered it to 700,000 people across the country, and my opponent is gaslighting us and saying, ‘Dental care doesn’t even exist yet.'”
Earlier this month, Conservative MP Stephen Ellis criticized the government for failing to implement subsidized dental care, claiming that most Canadians either do not qualify for coverage or still have to pay out of pocket.
The Canada Dental Care Plan is currently accepting applications from individuals over the age of 65, children under 18, and those receiving the Disability Tax Credit. Applicants must be verified before being enrolled with Sun Life, which manages the means-tested plan available to those with an adjusted family net income under $90,000 per year who lack dental coverage from employer plans, private insurance, or student or pension benefits.
Additional phases of eligibility will roll out next year.
Trudeau's appearance comes as he is set to face a non-confidence vote in the House of Commons, initiated by the Conservatives and scheduled for a vote on Wednesday. A loss could lead to a snap election; however, the NDP and Bloc Quebecois have indicated their support for the Liberals to defeat the motion.
“It’s a really tough time for people in Canada right now,” Trudeau remarked. “People are hurting. People are having trouble paying for groceries, paying for rent, filling up the tank.”
“People are frustrated, and the notion that they might want an election now is something my opponents are trying to capitalize on because people are directing their frustrations at me, for understandable reasons,” he added. “I’ve been here, and I’ve been steering us through all these challenges, and people are sometimes looking for change.”
The prime minister expressed his commitment to “keep fighting” to support Canadians, asserting that “Canada’s the best country in the world.”
While he praised the country’s “beautiful” landscapes, he emphasized that “Canada is about the people.”
“It’s a range of people from every possible background who come together—and a little different from the melting pot in the United States, where everyone gets to be American—we try to celebrate differences, and people keep their cultures and languages.”
Colbert, pointing out that Canada is America’s “closest ally,” asked Trudeau what the two countries dispute over.
The prime minister responded that there are many “small issues that matter” between the two nations, citing the high tariffs the U.S. imposes on softwood lumber.
This summer, the U.S. announced a 14.54 percent duty rate on Canadian softwood lumber imports, an increase from the previous 8.05 percent tariff.
Colbert jokingly noted that many Americans cross the U.S.-Canada border to purchase cheaper medications.
“We’re happy to try and help you out, but it would be a lot easier if you guys had universal health care,” Trudeau replied, prompting cheers from the audience.
In lighter moments during his Late Show appearance, Trudeau quipped that, despite the stereotype of Canadians always saying “sorry,” they would not apologize for the subtle differences between bacon and back bacon (known as Canadian bacon in the U.S.).
Trudeau has been Canada’s prime minister since 2015. This week, he traveled to New York City ahead of the 79th United Nations General Assembly, which marks the UN’s inaugural Summit of the Future, bringing together world leaders to discuss issues such as peace and security, sustainable development, climate change, and human rights.
Trudeau expressed that attending the General Assembly makes him feel both hopeful and less hopeful about the future.
“You have to be fundamentally hopeful in this job, especially during a time when challenges are monumental,” he stated regarding politicians. “But if you don’t believe you can actually collaborate with others and make a positive difference, then you’re not in the right line of work.”
