Clinton, Freeland, Chrétien Address Liberal Convention

Former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton (L) and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Chrystia Freeland take part in a keynote address during the second day of the Liberal Convention in Ottawa, on May 5, 2023. Spencer Colby/The Canadian Press

Former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton described the Liberal government as a “trailbreaker” as she addressed the party’s national convention on May 5, urging for more feminist economic policies, and keeping up support for Ukraine. Former Prime Minister Jean Chrétien, who also delivered his keynote address, took shots at opposition Conservatives.

The former U.S. presidential candidate was on stage alongside Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Chrystia Freeland where she praised the federal Liberals as an “optimistic, progressive, forward-looking party.”

“In many ways, the Liberal Party of Canada is a trailbreaker,” Clinton said in front of 3,500 attendees at the Shaw Centre in downtown Ottawa. She was referring to the national child care policy launched by the minority government that set the cost of child care to $10 a day.

“It’s important in today’s political world to get out there and make sure people know what you’ve done. Ten dollars a day for childcare? That’s extraordinary,” she said. “I think the idea of a feminist set of policies, a feminist economic policy, is exactly where you need to be if you want to increase economic opportunity and economic output.”

Clinton’s comment was welcomed by Freeland, who stressed that Justin Trudeau is “a truly feminist prime minister” and that his government believes that “feminist policy is economic policy.”

‘As Much Military Support’

The conversation shifted to the conflict between Russia and Ukraine when the minister asked Clinton what it means to support the latter.

“We have to continue to provide as much military support to Ukraine,” Clinton replied. “I wish we would speed up the delivery of everything that they need.”

Clinton said the best way to “end Putin’s aggression” is “for Ukraine to win.”

Foreign Interference

Prior to Clinton’s keynote address, Chrétien took the stage and dismissed the foreign interference controversy dogging the Trudeau government in recent times.

Former Prime Minister Jean Chrétien delivers remarks during a keynote address during the second day of the Liberal Convention in Ottawa on May 5, 2023. Spencer Colby/The Canadian Press

In February, the Globe and Mail published a series of reports with allegations that China had interfered in the past two federal elections, including channeling donations to the Trudeau Foundation. On May 1, the media outlet stated that, based on national security leaks, the Chinese regime sought to target Conservative MP Michael Chong and his family following a 2021 Commons vote declaring the treatment of Uyghurs in China a genocide.

The Conservatives immediately raised concerns about the allegations, but the Liberal government has struggled to provide satisfactory answers to the opposition party.

Chrétien made light of the controversy and instead told attendees that, considering the Globe’s coverage, he was “preoccupied” to see Clinton attending the convention.

“The Globe and Mail will get crazy,” he said. “She’s an American meddling in Canadian politics. We need a royal commission.”

He also dismissed calls for public inquiries.

“My friends, who are lawyers in Ottawa, like the Globe and Mail because if we have all the commissions that they want us to have, they will become very rich.”

Chrétien, who was first elected in 1963, and became prime minister in 1993, took aim at Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre who is critical of the Trudeau government.

Speaking in French, he said Poilievre’s outlook is “negative.”

“No, Mr. Poilievre, Canada is not broken,” said the former prime minister. “Canada is the land that makes the envy of the world. Canada is still the best. And vive le Canada!”

The 89-year-old recounted tales of his time in office and the legacies various Liberal governments have left behind.

He listed medicare, official language rights, gun control laws, and the legalization of same-sex marriage among several more.

“We did these because of our values,” Chrétien said.

Noé Chartier and The Canadian Press contributed to this report.