Tuxedoed Trudeau gives ironic but inspiring speech at elite banquet
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau told an elite audience in Hamburg that it is time to “get real” about rising inequality which is causing anger among the middle class, urging businesses to “pay your taxes” and “pay a living wage.”
Speaking at an annual banquet in Hamburg, Germany, Trudeau warned guests at the exclusive black-tie gala that rising inequality led to an ‘us versus them’ situation, with people distrusting their governments and employers.
Trudeau speaking now at St. Matthew’s Day banquet in Hamburg. pic.twitter.com/3v8DqJrS0z
— Bill Curry (@curryb) February 17, 2017
Whoever wrote Trudeau's speech deserves a raise. #Hamburg#cdnpoli
— Mick Ar (@mickar1) February 17, 2017
"When companies post record profits on the backs of workers consistently refused full-time work - and the job security that comes with it - people get defeated," he said.
“When governments serve special interests, instead of the citizens who elected them, people lose faith.”
@NoLore you hearing Trudeau's speech in Hamburg? Very labour focused. He sounds like a labour activist lol.
— Faiz Imam (@faizimam) February 17, 2017
“We’re watching that anxiety transform into anger on an almost daily basis,” he said. adding that as a result, the natural defence mechanism is to retreat from one another. He added that leaders in business and politics need to “step up.”
“No more brushing aside concerns of workers,” says Trudeau in Germany. “Get real about how the changing economy is impacting peoples’ lives”
— Rick Spence (@rickspence) February 18, 2017
“It’s time to pay a living wage,” he told the 400-strong audience of politicians and business leaders. “To pay your taxes, and to give your workers the benefits and peace of mind that come with stable, full time contracts.”
Not everyone was convinced by Trudeau’s statements, however, with many online drawing attention to the perceived hypocrisy of a tuxedo-wearing son of a former prime minister telling other wealthy influencers to do more to look out for workers.
@globeandmail@gkielec@curryb@globepolitics But Trudeau is a political elite who wants to keep the elitist first-past-the-post. #cdnpoli
— Michael Bednarski (@mikebednarski) February 18, 2017
@globeandmail@curryb@globepolitics Says the guy who vacations with a billionaire. Joe Trudeau doesn't get irony.
— Masked Man (@Former_CAM) February 17, 2017
@CTVNews What the hell would Trudeau know about working?
— Clay Trainor (@claytrainor) February 17, 2017
@globeandmail@curryb@globepolitics he lacks the self awareness to realize he's one of them
— JC Miles (@JCraig_Miles) February 17, 2017
@globeandmail@curryb@globepolitics You mean the same corporate elites that hold top positions in his government and party?
— CB (@rainlander1) February 18, 2017
Trudeau himself saw the paradox in his remarks, admitting he understood the “irony of preaching about the struggles of the middle class to a sea of tuxedos and ball gowns, while wearing a bow-tie myself."
PMJT notes the irony of him "preaching" to a "sea of tuxedoes and ball gowns, while wearing a bow tie myself." #hw#cdnpoli
— David Cochrane (@CochraneCBC) February 17, 2017
