Trudeau to Hold Cabinet Retreat Focusing on Efforts to ‘Support the Middle Class’

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau walks to a group photo opportunity with his new cabinet following a swearing-in ceremony at Rideau Hall in Ottawa on July 26, 2023. The Canadian Press/Adrian Wyld

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced on Jan. 17 a cabinet retreat in Quebec, the main focus of which will be efforts to “support the middle class and build an economy that works for everyone.”

“The promise of Canada is a promise that every generation can reach even higher than those who came before,” Mr. Trudeau said in a Jan. 17 statement.

“This cabinet retreat, we are focused on securing that promise. This team is squarely focused on advancing our work to build more homes, create good-paying jobs, bring down the cost of living, support the middle class, and make life better for Canadians.”

Scheduled to take place in Montreal, Quebec, from Jan. 21 to 23, the retreat’s key areas of discussion will include addressing the cost of living, housing construction, job creation, health care system improvements, community safety, and aiding the middle class.

Additionally, the cabinet plans to deliberate on Canada’s relationship with the United States, particularly in light of the upcoming presidential election in the fall.

The Liberal Party of Canada held a caucus retreat in London, Ontario, from Sept. 12 to 14, 2023, focusing on critical issues like housing affordability. The retreat came amid decreasing support for the party, as evidenced by polling at the time. The Liberals were trailing behind the Conservatives, who were polled at 38 percent support among decided voters compared to the Liberals’ 29 percent.

The latest Abacus Data poll has the Conservatives at 41 percent nationally with the Liberals trailing at 24 percent. Abacus Data’s CEO David Coletto noted in a related blog post that the federal government’s approval has declined, with the disapproval rate rising by 2 points to 58 percent, matching the highest level recorded since the Liberals’ election victory in 2015.

Public opinion of Mr. Trudeau has deteriorated further since Abacus Data’s previous survey in December. Currently, only 25 percent hold a positive view of the prime minister, whereas 59 percent harbor a negative perception. This results in a net favourability score of -34, the lowest ever recorded for him.

The Liberals’ polling has not improved despite numerous announcements on the housing problem in Canada.

In June, the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation reported that to attain a balance between supply and demand, which would lead to restored affordability, Canada needs an additional 3.5 million homes.