Dominic LeBlanc talks Trudeau, Trump at N.B. correctional centre announcement

Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Finance, Public Safety and Intergovernmental Affairs, participates in a news conference after a swearing in ceremony at Rideau Hall in Ottawa, Ontario, Dec. 16, 2024. Source: (Justin Tang/The Canadian Press via AP, File)

New Brunswick MP Dominic LeBlanc was in his Beausejour riding Thursday to give an update on a new correctional health centre at the Dorchester Penitentiary, but he was confronted by questions about political turmoil in Ottawa.

LeBlanc, who was sworn in Monday as the new finance minister after Chrystia Freeland abruptly resigned, said Justin Trudeau has the full support of his cabinet to stay on as prime minister despite the tumultuous week.

But some New Brunswick MPs, like Jenica Atwin and Wayne Long, are calling for Trudeau to step down.

“That’s a view that they’re expressing,” said LeBlanc. “The prime minister listened carefully when that view was expressed to him. Colleagues did what is the appropriate thing. They, in a caucus meeting, expressed those views directly to the prime minister himself.”

LeBlanc said the New Brunswick MPs who shared their views on Trudeau are friends of his and people he respects.

“I recruited Jenica Atwin to the Liberal caucus. I’m very proud of that. She’s a terrific MP for Fredericton,” he said.

Saint John-Rothesay MP Wayne Long has been very vocal saying Trudeau needs to step aside because it’s for the good for the party to find someone else to compete against Pierre Poilievre in the next federal election.

“We’re going to continue to insist that the prime minister does the right thing for the party, the country and step down and allow this party to move forward with a new leader. With a new vision. With a new energy,” said Long.

LeBlanc also spoke about U.S. President-elect Donald Trump’s vow to impose a 25 per cent tariff on Canadian imports unless border security is beefed up.

On Tuesday, the federal government announced $1.3 billion in funding to boost security at the shared border.

“I’m confident that we have a cordial, collaborative discussion with President Trump’s incoming administration, but we have a lot of work to do,” said LeBlanc.

LeBlanc was also asked about recent social media posts Trump made about Canada becoming the 51st state and calling Prime Minister Trudeau Governor Trudeau.

“I was at the dinner at Mar-a-Lago three weeks ago, the president made those comments joking,” said LeBlanc. “This was a joke. He’s gone on to say some of this stuff on social media. Again, our government’s job is not to respond to everything that President Trump is going to post. He’s quite active on social media.”

In his role as finance minister, LeBlanc said he’ll be meeting with key players of the incoming Trump administration over border security during the holidays.