Scheer, Trudeau trade barbs ahead of debate, amid Ontario education unrest

OTTAWA – Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer has called his Liberal rival Justin Trudeau “disgusting” for trying to score political points on the backs of Ontario students.

Trudeau fired back at Scheer at an event with local teachers, where he tried to highlight the ongoing tension between Ontario’s education workers and the government of Premier Doug Ford.

The early-morning skirmish marked what was otherwise quiet day on the campaign trail as all the party leaders prepared for the evening’s national English-language debate.

Scheer made an announcement about making national museum admission free and ensuring the memories of important Canadian historical figures aren’t erased by political correctness.

Trudeau started the day at a Boys and Girls Club in Ottawa, saying that as a former teacher he understands that the education policies of the Ford government “are impacting not just teachers in schools but kids and families as well as the future we are building.”

The event was planned before a last-minute deal was reached Sunday night between the Ontario government and education support workers represented by the Canadian Union of Public Employees.

The agreement averted the closure of hundreds of the provinces elementary and high schools this morning.

Trudeau has repeatedly tried to link Scheer to Ford, to appeal to Ontario voters who may be having second thoughts about electing a Conservative government.

Scheer is having none of it — saying he thought Trudeau is probably the only parent in Ontario who was disappointed by the strike not going forward.

He says it’s quite disgusting that Trudeau was trying to politicize kids’ education for his own personal partisan gain.