A visit by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau meant to tout his government's recently tabled budget quickly switched to talk of a controversial deal with Saudi Arabia.
In his first visit to London since being elected PM last fall, Trudeau toured Fanshawe College's Centre for Applied Transportation and Technologies on Thursday. He met with students training to become heavy-equipment technicians and swung a wrench on a transport truck engine before addressing the crowd.
"A cornerstone for our plan for students involves an investment of $2-billion in labs and buildings on college and university campuses. Students need updated facilities and equipment in order to maximize their educational experience," says Trudeau. "As Canada's economy shifts towards high skilled employment it's more important than ever to make sure new grads have the skills and training they need to meet the demands of the labour market."
He spoke of the government's $300-million investment in the summer jobs program and additional grants for students before the conversation turned to the controversial $15-billion contract.
London-based General Dynamics, located just east of Fanshawe, was awarded the deal to export light armoured vehicles (LAVs) to Saudi Arabia. The deal, brokered by the former Conservative government, came under fire because of Saudi Arabia's human rights record.
Trudeau noted the deal was signed in February of 2014 and it would negatively effect the country's reputation if Canada were to back out now.
"It is important that people know when they sign a deal with Canada, when they sign a commercial agreement a change in government isn't going to lead to that contract being ripped up," says Trudeau. "What we have committed to is a level of openness and transparency moving forward. It will make sure that Canadians will be reassured on any new contracts signed, that we are doing a better job than perhaps the previous government did on respecting our principals, our values, and indeed our laws."
Trudeau stresses that not one federal party has called for the deal to be torn up. He went on to talk about the balance needed to create good jobs here and abroad.
"We need to engage commercially but also around human rights in order to create good outcomes not just for Canadians but for people around the world," says Trudeau. "That has always been Canada's position and we will always understand that creating economic opportunities here in Canada and around the world, particularly in difficult areas, is something that needs to go hand in hand with standing up loudly and clearly to defend human rights and promote Canadian values and solutions around the world."