Trudeau makes campaign stop in city

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This article was published 19/09/2021 (1499 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Blue Note Park was awash with red as Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau, candidates and supporters took over the popular downtown Winnipeg patio for a final campaign stop on the eve of the federal election.

Speaking to a crowd of masked supporters crammed at tables at the open air patio on Main Street, Trudeau recapped his government’s pandemic response and again criticized Conservative Leader Erin O’Toole for not requiring his candidates to be vaccinated against COVID-19.

“We all know that the only way through this pandemic is with vaccinations,” Trudeau told the crowd, who were required to show proof of vaccination at the door.

“We are starting to see just west of us what happens when you don’t get clear, strong leadership on vaccinations, and right now they’re facing close downs and restrictions, and real economic slow down while people are made more vulnerable in Alberta, because of political decisions.

“We know that was the wrong path to take,” Trudeau said.

Wearing a white collared shirt with the sleeves rolled up, and surrounded by candidates on a stage where musicians play most nights of the week, Trudeau said his focus is on the majority of Manitobans and Canadians who have chosen to be immunized against COVID-19.

“If you have stepped up and done the right thing for your community, for elders, for those front line workers who continue to be overwhelmed by cases of unvaccinated people ending up in hospitals, of putting little kids who can’t get vaccinated at risk, our focus is on getting you through this,” Trudeau said.

He reiterated that a Liberal government would require air and rail passengers to be vaccinated against COVID-19 and said provinces that implement “vaccine passports” would be reimbursed for the program by the federal government.

Trudeau, acknowledging First Nations and Métis leaders in attendance, said a Liberal government would continue to advance reconciliation and is committed to ending all boil water advisories on First Nations in the coming year.

“I’m the first to say that there’s lots more to do, so let’s do it together,” Trudeau said.

After speaking for about 30 minutes, the Liberal leader worked his way through the crowd greeting supporters and bumping elbows.

He even accepted an embrace from Manitoba Metis Federation president David Chartrand that lifted the leader’s feet from the crushed stone ground.

Dozens of selfies later, and at least one TikTok video, Trudeau made his way out the back gate of Blue Note Park and supporters began to stream out of the venue where The D.Rangers were set to hit the stage.

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Outside the gates, Edda Pangilinan, a volunteer for Winnipeg North Liberal candidate Kevin Lamoureux’s campaign, said she was pleased to see Trudeau make Winnipeg a priority as the federal election comes to a close.

However, the Liberal supporter said she was still left with one unanswered question following the leader’s stop in the city.

“Why did he call (an election), at this period of time,” she said. “I really want to know.”

The federal election takes place Monday. Polls open at 8:30 a.m. and close at 8:30 p.m.

danielle.dasilva@freepress.mb.ca