Despite creating an entirely new holiday to promote “healing” with indigenous communities, PM Justin Trudeau chose to hitch a direct flight to Tofino, BC, to catch some late summer waves.
“All of us — all of us — need to hold these stories in our hearts,” Trudeau said yesterday. “In our understanding, not just as we reflect on reconciliation, but as we reflect on this country.”
“… Do not tell me, or try to explain, that the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation is a day for Indigenous Canadians; it is a day for all Canadians,” he continued, knowing that the Tofino beach was just a few hours away.
“So tomorrow… take a moment to listen to the stories of a survivor, to an Indigenous elder who shares their perspective and their experiences in this country. And know that that story, their story, is your story as well.”
According to the Prime Minister’s itinerary, Trudeau was supposed to be in Ottawa, Ontario, in private meetings. However, that is not where his private plane is heading.
Instead, plane CFC01 is headed straight to Tofino, one of Canada’s most exotic vacation locations, known for its Caribbean-like beaches.
How’s Canada’s Prime Minister spending our first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation?
Tofino, baby.
Surf’s up. pic.twitter.com/SuNNZC3lph
— 𝘽𝙧𝙮𝙖𝙣 𝙋𝙖𝙨𝙨𝙞𝙛𝙞𝙪𝙢𝙚 (@BryanPassifiume) September 30, 2021
“Yes, the PM is spending time in Tofino with family for a few days,” the Prime Minister’s spokesperson, Alex Wellstead, later admitted in a statement.
“And, following his participation in last night’s ceremony marking the first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, he is speaking today with residential school survivors from across the country.”
PMO web site says @JustinTrudeau is in Ottawa today for “private meetings”. But PMO spox just confirmed he and his family flew to Tofino, BC this morning for a few days off. #cdnpoli pic.twitter.com/Ae0Cwc317x
— David Akin 🇨🇦 (@davidakin) September 30, 2021
But really, who can blame the Prime Minister? After all, who needs ‘Truth and Reconciliation’ when there are waves to surf and beaches to be laid on.
Since @JustinTrudeau is in Tofino, BC on the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, I wonder if he will pay his respects to the local St. Columba Church which was lit on fire by extremists this July?
(It's a rhetorical question. He won't.) https://t.co/gDHPFNDSCT https://t.co/Hss8hmonp4
— Cosmin Dzsurdzsa (@cosminDZS) September 30, 2021
The Prime Minister’s itinerary has since been amended to Tofino, British Columbia, in response to public scrutiny.
