Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was berated during a photo op by cash-strapped steelworkers who said his policies were making it hard for their families to make ends meet.
Footage of a tense exchange in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario. Obtained by CTV News In the post, which went viral, the unidentified worker rejected Trudeau's offer of a doughnut and complained about high taxes, health care costs and perks he gives to people he deems “lazy.”
“The 25 per cent tariff that we've put in place will help you … it will keep your jobs,” Trudeau told the man.
“What about the 40 percent tax I pay? I don't even have a doctor,” the Algoma Steel worker countered.
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Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau (Spencer Colby/The Canadian Press via The Associated Press)
Trudeau responded that the multimillion-dollar investment from the Canadian government meant the man would have a job “for years to come.” The man responded that he expected Trudeau to be voted out of office.
“That's what elections are about,” the Liberal leader said, remaining calm and collected throughout the exchange. “We expect you to exercise your right to vote. … We are going to invest in you and your jobs.”
“I don't believe that for a second,” the steelworker retorted.
The man also said he felt unemployed Canadians had better access to affordable health care than he did, after Trudeau mentioned efforts to help hundreds of thousands of Canadians get dental care.
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Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau (Arlyn McAdory/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
“Maybe like my neighbor who doesn't go to work because he's too lazy?” the steelworker asked.
“You know what? Most Canadians try to help each other. We need to continue to do that,” Trudeau replied, wishing the man good luck. At the end, the worker appeared to refuse to shake Trudeau's hand.
Canada's next federal election is scheduled for Oct. 20, 2025. Trudeau's government has come under intense scrutiny amid a cost-of-living crisis gripping the country, but he remains optimistic.
“Inflation fell more than expected last month,” the prime minister said in a Facebook post on July 17. “But the job isn't done until Canadians have peace of mind in their wallets, at the grocery store and with their mortgage payments.”
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau (center) meets with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (not pictured) on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, Ontario, September 22, 2023. (Sean Kilpatrick/The Canadian Press/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
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Fox News Digital has reached out to Trudeau's office for comment.
