Justin Trudeau is promising to make real changes to address systemic racism and discrimination in Canada.
Speaking in front of his Ottawa home, the Prime Minister said repeatedly that while his government has taken some steps, it hasn’t been enough, and the country needs “concrete” change. Trudeau said he’s listening to black and Indigenous Canadians about the issues they’re facing.
He will meet with Canada’s Premiers this week, and said he will discuss using more body cameras to record police encounters.
He attended a rally on Friday protesting racism and police violence, and took a knee alongside demonstrators. When questioned on how that fits with COVID-19 public health rules, he said “many” people there were wearing masks and keeping their distance from each other.
“We need to make sure we’re getting that balance right, of looking to build a better world, looking to ensure that real change happens now and into the coming months, while at the same time ensuring we slow and decrease the spread of COVID-19,” Trudeau admitted.
He adds the country needs to prepare for any spike in coronavirus cases after the recent protests.
