Liberals pitch Canadians on renewed housing and affordability focus, drawing contrast to Conservatives

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau started his post-shuffle re-pitching of his government as affordability-focused to Canadians on Thursday, seeking to draw a sharp contrast between the Liberals and their Conservative rivals. Housing was another key change made as part of the shuffle, and now the minister in charge says his file will be a 'complete priority.'

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau started his post-shuffle re-pitching of his government as affordability-focused to Canadians on Thursday, seeking to draw a sharp contrast between the Liberals and their Conservative rivals.

Before touting a boost to the Canada Workers' Benefit outside of a local business in Newfoundland and Labrador, the prime minister spoke for several minutes about how he's aware "times are tough" for many Canadians, and even with inflation coming down, the high cost of food and housing has caused struggles. 

Trudeau said the government's been challenged in how much financial aid it can offer, acknowledging that "government spending could contribute to inflation."

"That's certainly something we've heard screaming about from the opposition over the past months, telling us we shouldn't be supporting families at this point because it'll drive up inflation," Trudeau said.

To make this point, the prime minister cited the grocery rebate, dental benefit, and workers' supports as examples of "money in your pockets that the Conservatives have already said they're going to take away."

"The fact of the matter is… we're driving down inflation faster than other countries… Even as we're stepping up and doing the things that Pierre Poilievre doesn't want us to be doing," Trudeau went on. "We need to do two things at the same time. That is step up for families and communities and help with the high costs of living, as we're building a stronger future."

On Wednesday, Trudeau promoted seven rookies to his front bench, dropped seven ministers, and reassigned the majority of cabinet roles, in a sizeable shakeup meant to refresh and reset the minority government's agenda.