Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau had salient advice for American candidates
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau appeared on 60 minutes and gave an interview that every Republican candidate must watch. Trudeau sounds like the leader of a democracy unlike the excuse for state men the United States are running in the GOP primary.
60 Minutes’ Lara Logan asked various questions about Trudeau pulling out his fighter jets from the ISIS fight. He pointed out that there are other countries capable of bombing. Instead, Canada has expanded their role in a more surgical but more involved manner. They have boots on the ground training and assisting.
As opposed to governing through fear, Justin Trudeau accepted 25,000 Syrian refugees. He spoke about careful screening but realizes that there are risks. As opposed to being infantile like the Republican leadership in the United States, Trudeau took the adult position. He notes that anyone coming into a country could do harm. In fact, as was recently seen in the United States, terrorism can be homegrown as well. Trudeau pointed out that his method is more effective in building positive relationships and goodwill as opposed to building walls.
Lara Logan asked Trudeau about the Canadians’ feelings towards the U.S. She was surprised at his candor.
“I had a conversation one time with an American parent of a friend of mine,” Trudeau replied. “And she was a big supporter of a presidential candidate. And I pointed out that if indeed this man was running to be as Americans like to say, the most powerful man in the world, I just felt like it would be nice if they paid a little more attention to the world. So having a little more of an awareness of what’s going on in the rest of the world I think is what many Canadians would hope for Americans. Because you can’t be Canadian without being aware of at least one other country, the United States. Cause it is so important to us. I think we sometimes like to think Americans would pay attention to us from time to time.
(h/t 60 Minutes)