The Justin Trudeau spokesman who told reporters the prime minister “wasn’t on a beach” when he was, has been demoted, says Blacklock’s Reporter..Trudeau was photographed twice on a beach in Tofino after deciding to skip the first day of a holiday he created — the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation on September 30..Trudeau had promised to “set a higher bar for openness and transparency in government.”.Alex Wellstead will be “taking on new challenges” as press secretary to the industry minister, the Prime Minister’s Office said yesterday. . Screen-Shot-2021-12-08-at-9.50.57-AMWellstead. Courtesy Twitter .Wellstead in a statement called it “a very difficult decision to make.” He had worked as Trudeau’s official spokesman for 20 months..Wellstead on September 30 issued misleading statements to conceal the fact Trudeau spent the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation at a beach resort in Tofino, B.C..“He wasn’t on a beach,” Wellstead told The Canadian Press at the time. Global News and the weekly Chilliwack Progress photographed Trudeau strolling on the beach and enjoying a glass of beer on a beachfront patio..The Prime Minister’s Office claimed Trudeau was in private meetings in Ottawa. Staff flew an Indian Residential School “survivors’ flag” and issued a solemn statement in Trudeau’s name..“We remember the children who never made it home,” it said..Wellstead did not explain his conduct..“You as a communicator need to understand everything,” Wellstead said in a March 30 interview with public relations students at Sheridan College in Oakville, Ont..The prime minister in 2015 Ministerial Mandate letters said officials must be truthful and transparent..“Members of the Parliamentary Press Gallery, indeed all journalists in Canada and abroad, are professionals who by asking necessary questions contribute in an important way to the democratic process,” wrote Trudeau..“Your professionalism and engagement with them is essential..“We have committed to set a higher bar for openness and transparency in government. It is time to shine more light on government to ensure it remains focused on the people it serves..“Government and its information should be open by default. If we want Canadians to trust their government, we need a government that trusts Canadians..“It is important that we acknowledge mistakes when we make them. Canadians do not expect us to be perfect. They expect us to be honest, open and sincere in our efforts to serve the public interest.”.Trudeau on October 6 apologized for the Tofino holiday..“Traveling on September 30 was a mistake and I regret it,” the prime minister told reporters..“What made you decide to take a personal trip on a day your government set aside to honour the victims and survivors of residential schools?” asked a reporter..“Like I said, it was a mistake,” replied Trudeau.
The Justin Trudeau spokesman who told reporters the prime minister “wasn’t on a beach” when he was, has been demoted, says Blacklock’s Reporter..Trudeau was photographed twice on a beach in Tofino after deciding to skip the first day of a holiday he created — the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation on September 30..Trudeau had promised to “set a higher bar for openness and transparency in government.”.Alex Wellstead will be “taking on new challenges” as press secretary to the industry minister, the Prime Minister’s Office said yesterday. . Screen-Shot-2021-12-08-at-9.50.57-AMWellstead. Courtesy Twitter .Wellstead in a statement called it “a very difficult decision to make.” He had worked as Trudeau’s official spokesman for 20 months..Wellstead on September 30 issued misleading statements to conceal the fact Trudeau spent the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation at a beach resort in Tofino, B.C..“He wasn’t on a beach,” Wellstead told The Canadian Press at the time. Global News and the weekly Chilliwack Progress photographed Trudeau strolling on the beach and enjoying a glass of beer on a beachfront patio..The Prime Minister’s Office claimed Trudeau was in private meetings in Ottawa. Staff flew an Indian Residential School “survivors’ flag” and issued a solemn statement in Trudeau’s name..“We remember the children who never made it home,” it said..Wellstead did not explain his conduct..“You as a communicator need to understand everything,” Wellstead said in a March 30 interview with public relations students at Sheridan College in Oakville, Ont..The prime minister in 2015 Ministerial Mandate letters said officials must be truthful and transparent..“Members of the Parliamentary Press Gallery, indeed all journalists in Canada and abroad, are professionals who by asking necessary questions contribute in an important way to the democratic process,” wrote Trudeau..“Your professionalism and engagement with them is essential..“We have committed to set a higher bar for openness and transparency in government. It is time to shine more light on government to ensure it remains focused on the people it serves..“Government and its information should be open by default. If we want Canadians to trust their government, we need a government that trusts Canadians..“It is important that we acknowledge mistakes when we make them. Canadians do not expect us to be perfect. They expect us to be honest, open and sincere in our efforts to serve the public interest.”.Trudeau on October 6 apologized for the Tofino holiday..“Traveling on September 30 was a mistake and I regret it,” the prime minister told reporters..“What made you decide to take a personal trip on a day your government set aside to honour the victims and survivors of residential schools?” asked a reporter..“Like I said, it was a mistake,” replied Trudeau.
