When questioned on Thursday whether one of his important members of parliament should continue in his position as parliamentary secretary after strongly criticizing the government’s handling of the Gaza Strip crisis, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau sidestepped the topic.
In a recorded Zoom call, Rob Oliphant, the parliamentary secretary to Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly, was heard harshly criticizing the Liberal government’s handling of the genocide case against Israel and its decision to cut off funding to a UN relief organization in the midst of a famine. Oliphant added that he has thought about resigning from his position as parliamentary secretary.
On Thursday, Trudeau was asked if he believed Oliphant ought to continue serving as parliamentary secretary. In response to the issue, the prime minister stated that there is “diversity” of viewpoints among it.
During a news conference in Winnipeg, Trudeau told reporters, “The kinds of conversations that go on within our party are not always easy, but they reflect that diversity of conversations happening across the country.”
“We are continuing, as a country, to engage in the full complexities of the situation with a steadfast focus on bringing forward peace, stability and standing up for the rights of people to live in peace and stability.”
