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Since this straddles both U.S. & Canadian politics, it's stand alone - enjoy!
More @ linkPrime Minister Justin Trudeau has been getting a lot of attention from international media, but now the spotlight has landed on his senior adviser, Gerald Butts, and his dealings with a contentious figure in the White House.
Steve Bannon, the controversial chief strategist to U.S. President Donald Trump, told the New Yorker he struck up a friendship with Butts, the long-time friend and principal secretary to Trudeau, after the pair met in New York during the transition to government.
The magazine reported Bannon, who is apparently on the outs with Trump, has been mulling the idea of raising taxes on the wealthy and that Butts had spoken to him about how such a move could have a populist appeal that could boost the president's political fortune.
"There's nothing better for a populist than a rich guy raising taxes on rich guys," the magazine said Butts had told Bannon.
Cameron Ahmad, a spokesman for Trudeau, did not comment directly on the contents or accuracy of the story, but said the Liberal government — including staffers — have been working hard to make connections with the Trump administration since its earliest days.
"Our government has worked hard to grow Canada's strong and constructive working relationship with the United States, highlighting our close and mutually beneficial ties," Ahmad said in an emailed statement ...