Canadian Roots
Chrystia Freeland shares that she grew up on a farm and has deep roots in Canadian agriculture. Her family's farming background defines her connection to Canada's heartland.
Transcript:
Chrystia Freeland
Thank you very much. And I am glad to start with farming because I am the daughter of a farmer. I grew up on a farm in northern Alberta, and actually the daughter-in of dairy farmers from Leicestershire, of all places. And in fact, my husband told my future in-laws that we were engaged in a dairy parlor. How's that? The milking parlor. So I love farms. I know how important farming is to the Canadian economy and also to Canadian communities. A couple of weeks ago, I went back to Peace River, Alberta, where I was born, where my family farm still is, where my great grandparents first homesteaded. And we still have a 6,000 acre farm there. And for me, that's kind of at the heart of who I am as a person. Growing up on a farm, growing up with really hardworking farming people defines who I am in really important ways. And I am really looking forward to, I will not be wearing what I'm wearing right now, and going to a dairy farm in Quebec as soon as we're done talking. (Time 0:03:46)
Personal Connection to Politics
Freeland recounts her deep personal connection to Ukraine through her heritage. She speaks about her family's history and the importance of Ukrainian culture in her life.
Transcript:
Chrystia Freeland
Well, I'm going to start, Alistair, by talking a little bit about how Ukrainian Canadians have shaped Canada, because Canada is a country where we are very proudly bilingual, proud Of our French and English heritage, working very hard on reconciliation with Indigenous people in Canada, and very aware of and proud of the contributions subsequent waves of immigrants Have made to Canada. And Ukrainian Canadians have a really important role in Canada, especially in Western Canada, where I come from, because they were a crucial element of settling the prairies. And in fact, Canadian political leaders put out ads, had ads in Ukraine to invite the Ukrainians to come settle the prairies. We were a little bit concerned about manifest destiny coming from the United States. Sound familiar? And Canadian politicians knew we needed to get people in the prairies. We needed to have farmers. And there's this great quote from Sir Clifford Sifton saying, give me a peasant in his sheepskin coat, his stalwart wife, that I guess would be me, and their six sons, and they will settle Our prairies. So that was really, you know, the historic role of Ukrainians in Canada. They endured incredibly difficult circumstances. Like they lived in sawed huts underground their first winter, sometimes their first couple of winters when they came to Canada and played a really key role in building my country, Canada. That's the first thing I want to say about Ukrainian Canadians. Second thing on Ukraine, as someone who is proudly Ukrainian Canadian, and my kids speak Ukrainian too, the poor little darlings have to go to Ukrainian school on Saturdays. (Time 0:06:03)
Ukraine's Significance
Freeland emphasizes that Ukraine represents the front line in the fight between democracy and dictatorship globally. Canada’s support for Ukraine is crucial for upholding international rules.
Transcript:
Chrystia Freeland
And dictatorship in the world. It is the front line in whether we are going to live in a rules-based world where just because you have bigger armies than your neighbor and are a bigger economy than your neighbor, you're Not allowed to decide one day you're going to change the borders and take over your neighbor. And when Putin launched his full-scale invasion of Ukraine, and even before that in 2014, when he invaded Crimea, I was an opposition MP at the time, Canadians understood in theory, I think, that standing up for the rules-based international order and standing up for the sanctity of borders was a good thing. I think President Trump has helped us to understand that our national interest is absolutely engaged in asserting that point. So that's why, from my perspective, it is so important for Canada to stand with Ukraine, and we will. (Time 0:08:31)
Build a United Front
Freeland suggests uniting the home team as the foundational step for successful negotiations and agreements. A unified Canada will better withstand external pressures.
Transcript:
Chrystia Freeland
It's one of the areas where we have real national expertise, because we are a trading nation, and we're pretty small, so we need to be good at it. And our best trade negotiator is a guy called Steve Verhuel. I think Canadians should put up a statue to the guy. And he kind of trained me. And he said, okay, you're going to think that this negotiation is all about what you say to the people across the table. But where it starts is uniting the people on your side of the table. And a trade deal succeeds or fails first based on the foundation you have built. And if your home team is united, you will succeed. And if your home team is divided, you will fail. Actually, looking at you, Rory, I realize the Brits might have an understanding of that point from your own recent experience. (Time 0:22:40)
Listen to Citizens
Freeland emphasizes the importance of listening to citizens' concerns and needs. Political leaders must adapt their policies based on public feedback.
Transcript:
Chrystia Freeland
And if they're telling you something clearly, you need to listen. And I actually think that that is something, you know, as a reporter, I knew the value of listening. A good reporter shuts up most of the time and just scribbles or runs. Now, there people don't have tape recorders anymore, their phone. I've been now an elected MP for nearly 12 years. And one of the things that I've learned in that time is talking less, listening more, you have two ears and one mouth. (Time 0:46:14)
Future Vision for Canada
Mark Carney envisions Canada as a strong, united, and economically vibrant country by 2028. He believes in balancing social progress with economic strength.
Transcript:
Mark Carney
2028, we are much stronger as an economy. We have deep trading relationships with Europe, with like-minded countries in Asia, particularly Korea, Japan, Australia. We've got a balanced budget. We've got full employment. We've got real wages growing. And at the same time, we've made real advances in terms of economic reconciliation with First Nations and growing jobs for all strata of society, including very much, let me make two Final points, you know, white working class young men. And final point is that we're confident in ourselves. We celebrate our diversity. We recognize it. And we're an example to the Western world that you can balance social progress with economic strength. (Time 1:58:47)
