Canadians and their elected leaders have a shared responsibility to protect and defend the principles of democracy, which need constant tending to remain strong, Justin Trudeau said Friday.

It was only the prime minister91裸聊视频檚 latest repudiation of this week91裸聊视频檚 stunning and deadly attack on Capitol Hill 91裸聊视频� a violent incursion that he blamed squarely on Donald Trump.

In an opening statement during a news conference in Ottawa, Trudeau called Wednesday91裸聊视频檚 events an 91裸聊视频渁ssault on democracy91裸聊视频� that was clearly incited by the sitting U.S. president.

91裸聊视频淎s shocking, deeply disturbing, and frankly saddening as that event remains, we have also seen this week that democracy is resilient in America, our closest ally and neighbour,91裸聊视频� he said.

91裸聊视频淰iolence has no place in our societies, and extremists will not succeed in overruling the will of the people.91裸聊视频�

He acknowledged that Canada is 91裸聊视频渘ot immune91裸聊视频� to the forces responsible for the unrest in the U.S.

91裸聊视频淲e have a responsibility as Canadians to continue to lead with respect, to engage substantially with different points of view and to never resort to violence as a way of impacting public discourse,91裸聊视频� he said.

91裸聊视频淭he choices we make as leaders, as politicians, have consequences. What we choose to say, what we choose not to say, how we choose to say it does have an impact on Canadians.91裸聊视频�

Trudeau said he discussed the issue during his call Thursday with provincial and territorial premiers, reminding them that despite its strengths, preserving democracy takes work.

He called it an accomplishment to have and maintain a political system where the party that loses an election 91裸聊视频済racefully concedes91裸聊视频� and where rivals work together for everyone.

91裸聊视频淲e have this in Canada because Canadians make it possible,91裸聊视频� he said.

91裸聊视频淐anadians expect their political leaders to protect our precious democracy by how we conduct ourselves.91裸聊视频�

They also expect elected leaders to engage in rigorous debate, that it be grounded in the facts, and that its enemies be identified and strongly repudiated.

91裸聊视频淐anadian democracy didn91裸聊视频檛 happen by accident and won91裸聊视频檛 continue without effort,91裸聊视频� Trudeau said.

91裸聊视频淲e must always work to secure our democracy, and not give comfort to those who promote things that are not true or give space for hate and extremism.91裸聊视频�

The Canadian Press

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