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Ottawa is prepared to do an end-run around the provinces and deal directly with cities and town when it comes to funding municipal projects, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said on Friday.

Speaking to an audience of mayors and other municipal officials during a convention of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities in Quebec City, Trudeau said his government would prefer to deal with the provinces and territories. But he added in the same breath that “if they don’t want to work with us, we’ll find a way to continue to work with you,” a line that earned applause from his audience.

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Trudeau’s speech was loaded with attacks on conservatives in general and carried the tone of a Liberal leader in pre-electoral campaign mode.

His attack on Ontario Premier Doug Ford was well received by his listeners, the prime minister accusing Ford of depriving municipalities of funding for purely partisan purposes. He also took a swing at newly elected Alberta Premier Jason Kenney, although he did not mention his name.