PM focuses on positives as protesters rally outside Liberal fundraiser in Kamloops

KAMLOOPS – Multiple RCMP officers and several protestors from different groups gathered outside the entrances of the Coast Kamloops Hotel and Conference Centre as Prime Minister Justin Trudeau spoke at a federal Liberal party fundraiser today.

The Prime Minister presented to a room full of Liberal supporters at the $300-a-plate event around noon today, Jan. 9, to point out some of the most recent accomplishments of his government.

"I stay focused on all of the things we were able to do," he said to a crowd of approximately 100 people. "When I go through the list of things we accomplished just this fall, I realized we were an incredibly busy government."

The Prime Minister's appearance in Kamloops was geared towards gaining support for the Oct. 21, 2019 election.

Trudeau mentioned how Canada moved forward on closing a new North Amercian trade deal, the liberal government is continuing to work on closing the wage gap between men and women as well as moving forward with the ratification of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership.

"(The Trans-Pacific Partnership) is a big trading deal with Asia, which means that now Canada is the only G7 country with a free trading deal with every other G7 country and actually has privileged access to two-thirds of the global economy," he said. 

Media personnel were only given access to Trudeau's brief 10-minute opening remarks before the fundraiser was closed off to participants only.

But outside there were multiple protests taking place including members of the Tiny House Warriors who were there to voice their opposition of the Trans Mountain pipeline.

"I see a lot of Canadians that are against a lot of the moves Trudeau is making," said Nicole Manuel with the protest group. "Pipelines and mines… are two areas we have to worry about."

Manuel says when these industries "come into our lands" the rates of violence also increase within communities. She won't be at Trudeau's town hall-style meeting tonight hosted at Thompson Rivers University since she was arrested last month for a protesting an event on campus property.

"We have bail conditions that prohibit us from going to TRU this evening," she says. "But there is going to be enough Secwepemc there that are going to be voicing our opposition to the Trans Mountain pipeline.

The other protest groups included the Yellow Vests and individuals rallying with Share B.C., a responsible resource support group.

The Prime Minister also had the opportunity to speak briefly with Kamloops Mayor Ken Christian during a private meeting.

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