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 ministersa国际传媒檚 latest repudiation of this weeksa国际传媒檚 stunning and deadly attack on Capitol Hill sa国际传媒� a violent incursion that he blamed squarely on Donald Trump.

In an opening statement during a news conference in Ottawa, Trudeau called Wednesdaysa国际传媒檚 events an sa国际传媒渁ssault on democracysa国际传媒� that was clearly incited by the sitting U.S. president.

sa国际传媒淎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,sa国际传媒� he said.

sa国际传媒淰iolence has no place in our societies, and extremists will not succeed in overruling the will of the people.sa国际传媒�

He acknowledged that Canada is sa国际传媒渘ot immunesa国际传媒� to the forces responsible for the unrest in the U.S.

sa国际传媒淲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,sa国际传媒� he said.

sa国际传媒淭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.sa国际传媒�

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 sa国际传媒済racefully concedessa国际传媒� and where rivals work together for everyone.

sa国际传媒淲e have this in Canada because Canadians make it possible,sa国际传媒� he said.

sa国际传媒淐anadians expect their political leaders to protect our precious democracy by how we conduct ourselves.sa国际传媒�

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.

sa国际传媒淐anadian democracy didnsa国际传媒檛 happen by accident and wonsa国际传媒檛 continue without effort,sa国际传媒� Trudeau said.

sa国际传媒淲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.sa国际传媒�

The Canadian Press

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