Trudeau talks NRTA, guns while visiting Regina

Standing next to a stand of tomatoes and cucumbers, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau talked about the grocery rebate his government included in its spring budget, and also answered questions on topics close to people in Saskatchewan.

When asked about the Natural Resources Transfer Agreement, Trudeau was unequivocal.

“As prime minister, I’m happy to stand here right now and say we will not be touching the NRTA,” said Trudeau.

The prime minister has had to address the issue several times over the past few days after his justice minister said last week that he would commit to looking at rescinding the agreement that transferred authority over land and resources from the federal government to the western provinces.

Trudeau has said that wasn’t what David Lametti meant when he said it, but didn’t explain his reasoning for that when asked. Instead, Trudeau talked about needing to have real conversations about reconciliation and economic partnerships with First Nations communities.

“We need to make sure that Indigenous peoples who’ve lived on this land for millenia are able to participate in the benefits drawn from that land,” he said.

And Trudeau wants those conversations to be led by the provinces.

“I will certainly take this occasion to encourage provincial governments — and a number of them already have — to have real conversations on the path forward in partnership with Indigenous peoples, just like the federal government is doing in areas of our jurisdiction,” said Trudeau.

The reaction to Lametti’s comments was volatile and swift, with some like Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe talking about it as another example of the federal government trying to horn in provincial jurisdiction.

The feeling between the federal government and the west, particularly western premiers, isn’t a rosy one with multiple fights and court battles. While many inside the grocery store Thursday morning were smiling and some asked for pictures with Trudeau, there were nearly a dozen people outside waving flags and protest signs.

When Trudeau’s attention was brought to them in a question about how he wants to remedy his relationship with the west, he instead talked about the people inside the store who appreciated the measures the federal government has put in place, like child-care money and the grocery benefit.

“It’s always great to meet people with a range of voices and there will be people who are more positive (and) more negative. That’s one of the great things about Canada and it’s one of the great things that politicians can continue to come out and engage with people in such an open way,” said Trudeau.

Trudeau didn’t meet with Moe during his visit to the province. Trudeau told reporters Moe’s office was told the prime minister would be in Regina, but the two leaders weren’t able to meet because the premier was not in town.

Trudeau also gave his thoughts on guns after a question about the Saskatchewan Firearms Act that was recently passed.

The prime minister said his government is committed to keeping Canadians safe from gun violence but also wants to protect the rights of hunters and farmers.

“These are things that are not incompatible,” said Trudeau.

He also talked about the approach toward dealing with guns needing to be multi-faceted.

“We will work with jurisdictions who want to work with us where necessary, but we will fully assume federal responsibility over guns everywhere as necessary,” he said.

Trudeau was also set to host a town hall with students Thursday afternoon.