#TrudeauEulogies: Twitter rips off Trudeau over Castro statement

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#TrudeauEulogies: Twitter rips off Trudeau over Castro statement

Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau

Toronto - The Canadian leader, following Fidel Castro's death on Friday night at the age of 90, said in his condolence statement on Saturday that his father, former Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau, considered Castro "a friend", EFE news reported.

By IANS

Published: Sun 27 Nov 2016, 7:04 AM

Last updated: Sun 27 Nov 2016, 9:16 AM

Canadian Conservative Party leaders have ripped Prime Minister Justin Trudeau over the condolence message he sent following the death of former Cuban President Fidel Castro.
The Canadian leader, following Fidel Castro's death on Friday night at the age of 90, said in his condolence statement on Saturday that his father, former Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau, considered Castro "a friend", EFE news reported.
"It is with deep sorrow that I learned today (Saturday) of the death of Cuba's longest serving President," Trudeau said.
"Castro was a larger than life leader who served his people for almost half a century. A legendary revolutionary and orator, Castro made significant improvements to the education and healthcare of his island nation."

Please read my statement on the passing of former Cuban President Fidel Castro: https://t.co/vIYCZrJGfg
- Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) November 26, 2016

Kellie Leitch, one of the members of parliament vying for the Conservative Party's leadership, took to social media to criticise Trudeau.
The Prime Minister should have mentioned the Castro regime's "brutal, oppressive, and murderous" history, rather than describing him "as if reading from a storybook", Leitch said.
Maxime Bernier, another candidate for the Conservative Party leadership, took a similar position.
"I can't believe our PM is expressing 'deep sorrow' and calling (Castro a) 'legendary revolutionary' and 'remarkable leader'," Bernier said in a tweet.
Lisa Raitt, another Conservative leadership hopeful, said: "Trudeau has placed himself on the wrong side of history -- against the millions of Cubans yearning for freedom. The Prime Minister should be ashamed of himself. He must retract this statement and apologise."
Trudeau said in his condolence message that "while a controversial figure, both Castro's supporters and detractors recognised his tremendous dedication and love for the Cuban people who had a deep and lasting affection for 'el Comandante'."

1/I can't believe our PM is expressing "deep sorrow" and calling "legendary revolutionary" and "remarkable leader"...https://t.co/vgzvVPPG7Y
- Maxime Bernier (@MaximeBernier) November 26, 2016

2/ a despicable dictator who killed and imprisoned thousands of innocents and drove away in exile more than a million...
- Maxime Bernier (@MaximeBernier) November 26, 2016

3/ who kept his country poor with his crazy communist policies, repressed free expression, persecuted gays...
- Maxime Bernier (@MaximeBernier) November 26, 2016

4/ while he himself amassed a fortune and lived in luxury like all dictators who exploit their people. It's revolting.
- Maxime Bernier (@MaximeBernier) November 26, 2016

"While a controversial figure, even detractors recognize Pol Pot encouraged renewed contact between city and countryside." #trudeaueulogies
- Andrew Coyne (@acoyne) November 26, 2016

'Though not universally liked by his compatriots, Mr. Ceausescu was a leader in urban design and affordable housing' #trudeaueulogies
- Cam Vidler (@camvidler) November 26, 2016

Prime Minister Trudeau should apologize and retract his statement on the death of dictator Fidel Castro https://t.co/crAqmbry91 #cdnpoli
- Lisa Raitt (@lraitt) November 26, 2016

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