Trudeau compliments King's leadership 'even as a Progressive Conservative'

Federal Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau gave a shoutout to P.E.I.'s Progressive Conservative premier while at the same time taking a swipe atfederal leader Erin O'Toole and praised Islanders for theirCOVID-19 vaccination effortsduring a campaign stop in Cornwall, P.E.I., on Sunday.

"Canada is leading the world on vaccinations, P.E.I. is leading Canada on vaccinations so thank youto that," he said.

"Even though Prince Edward Island is leading the country on vaccinations, there's more to do."

Trudeau received applause from his supporters when he acknowledgedP.E.I. Premier Dennis King for being an "extraordinary" partner with the federal government.

"His leadership, even as a Progressive Conservative, emphasis on progressive, in contrast of what Erin O'Toole is talking about, is really good for families."

Trudeau referred to recent agreements on$10-a-day child care for Island families, seniors care and pharmacare.

Trudeau was joined in Cornwall by all four of the Island's Liberal candidates Heath MacDonaldfor Malpeque,Sean Casey forCharlottetown, Bobby Morrissey for Egmont and Lawrence MacAulay for Cardigan.

MacDonald is trying to keep the seat held by former Liberal MP Wayne Easter. Easter,who held the seat for the past 28 years,is not running for re-election.

MacDonald is running against Jody Sanderson of the Conservative Party and Anna Keenan of the Green Party.

Trudeau mingled with the crowd before moving on to Charlottetown, which is expected to be a riding to watch when voters go to the polls Sept. 20.

Casey, who has held the seat for the Liberals since 2011, faces opposition from Doug Currie of the Conservatives, Darcie Lanthier of the Greens and Margaret Andrade of the NDP.

Trudeau's visit to P.E.I. comes after recent campaign stops by Conservative Leader Erin O'Toole and NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh.

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