By now, we’re sure most Canadians have heard that Justin Trudeau was seen walking the beaches of Tofino on the first annual Truth and Reconciliation Day.
In fact, one journalist caught up with the Prime Minister in a video below:
Global News caught up with Justin Trudeau, who was vacationing in Tofino on Canada's first National Truth and Reconciliation Day.
His official itinerary placed him in "private meetings" in Ottawa.
Full story here: https://t.co/Dy3U3JGEge #cdnpoli #bcpoli pic.twitter.com/ebeUaUjFal
— Kamil Karamali (@KamilKaramali) October 1, 2021
Canadians have reacted to the incident shocked, especially since Trudeau’s government created the federal statutory holiday and his itinerary pitted him in Ottawa for the day.
Others are upset because Trudeau had received at least two invitations to spend the day with survivors and their families of the Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc First Nation, who uncovered the remains of 215 children at a residential school site earlier this year.
Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc First Nation Chief Rosanne Casimir said she was deeply saddened by Trudeau’s choice:
.@Tkemlups Kukpi7 Chief Rosanne Casimir tells @GlobalBC's @NeetuGarcha she's "truly saddened" @JustinTrudeau didn't come to #KamloopsBC for the inaugural #TruthandReconciliationDay.
The PM is in #TofinoBC for a family vacation. pic.twitter.com/AkEkbXyuZP— Jordan Armstrong (@jarmstrongbc) October 1, 2021
Sid Seixeiro, former sports talk show host and now Breakfast Television anchor, had choice words for Trudeau, effectively calling the government liars:
While most Canadians spent September 30th honouring #NDTR, reports showing Canadian Prime Minister @justintrudeau vacationing in #Tofino B.C. shocked the nation. What did you make of the prime minister vacationing on the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation? @sid_seixeiro pic.twitter.com/SdXF2soKV1
— Breakfast Television (@breakfasttv) October 1, 2021
Today, the hashtag #TofinoTrudeau began to trend on Twitter in light of the incident.
Trudeau took to Twitter in the late afternoon on Thursday telling his followers that he “spent some time on the phone today with residential school survivors from across the country.”
I spent some time on the phone today with residential school survivors from across the country, hearing their stories and getting their advice on the path forward. By listening and learning, we can walk down that path – and advance meaningful reconciliation – together.
— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) September 30, 2021
Despite the Prime Minister’s actions, nearly 1,000 Victoria residents took to Centennial Square on National Truth & Reconciliation Day to honour and observe the day and pay respects to former residential school victims and survivors.
