Leaders trade barbs about PM's India trip at press gallery dinner

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau found some humour in his recent controversial trip to India, as he and other federal party leaders spoke at the annual parliamentary press gallery dinner on Saturday night.

With his February tour being the focus of many of the jabs,Trudeau himself addressed the subjectby showing a slideshow of the trip and joking that he never wanted to take another trip again.

Trudeau pokes fun at India trip, Andrew Scheer

6 years ago

Duration 0:57

There were jokes and jabs at the annual parliamentary press gallery dinner in Ottawa, where the three federal party leaders all took to the stage

While Trudeau'swardrobe of colourful, traditionalclothing was the target of jokes by the Indianmedia during the trip, the prime ministerturned it around with hispresentation on Saturday night.

"And here I am, meeting with the CEO of Infosys, a company that, for the record, announced new investments in Canada during the course of this trip. But you guys didn't report on itbecause I was wearing a shirt and tie. Boring."

Trudeau also joked thatsome people he met in India, such as Bollywood starShah Rukh Khan,were "seriously under-dressed."

Scheer responds to Justin Trudeau, cracks joke about Jagmeet Singh

6 years ago

Duration 0:35

Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer takes the stage at annual parliamentary press gallery dinner in Ottawa

Earlier in his speech, he playfully took a shotat the Conservative leader'sappearance, saying:"Andrew, it's a pleasure, as always. Your dimples are looking extra sinister tonight."

NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh poked funat the prime minister for his attempt at an Indian bhangra dance while on the trip, then proceeded to lead an instruction of the proper way to perform the dance.

Andrew Scheergot a chance to turn the tables on Trudeau, and also brought upthe India trip.

Singh makes fun of Justin Trudeau's dance moves

6 years ago

Duration 1:11

NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh ends his parliamentary press gallery dinner speech by teaching the audience including PM Trudeau some dance moves

"I have to hand it to the primeminister. It was very very smart of youyou pre-emptedall my jokes. [The] India trip,that was half mymaterial tonight, so it's going to be a little bit shorter."

Resurrecting his milk-carton joke from last year's press gallery dinner, Scheerbrought a milk jug onstage with him, bearing a photo of Singh and the word "missing" on ita referenceto criticism Singh has faced for not spending enough time in Ottawa.

"Jagmeet, it's great to see you here," Scheer said. "I don't know which table you're sitting at, but it's so good to see you with a seat here in Ottawa after all this time."

Several joking references were also made about Scheer and Singh being lesser known to the public.

Ending his remarks on a serious note, Trudeau thanked the journalists for their work, stressing the importance of an independent news media that holds governments to account.