Justin Trudeau visited Kamloops on a speaking tour, Jan. 21.

(JESSICA WALLACE / iNFOnews.ca)

About 600 people showed up to a meet and greet event with Justin Trudeau to the Grand Hall at Thompson Rivers University.

The Liberal Party of Canada candidate said the political climate in Canada, has left Canadians cynical about politics.

"That's not what we need right now," Trudeau said. "What we have to do is set aside the cynicism. We now have so much information at our finger tips that, instead of feeling empowered, we often feel overwhelmed."

He spoke of his experience as a youth critic in hopes of engaging the younger generation.

"If young people aren't involved, it's not the fault of young people, it's the fault of politicians," he said.

Trudeau, son of the late former Liberal Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau, said that while growing up, he had a different perspective on politics.

"I got to see that politics made a difference," he said.

During the question and answer portion of the presentation, several residents took to the mic to ask questions pertaining to the Idle No More movement, post-secondary education, foreign relations and the proposed Northern Gateway Pipeline.

Mary Ellen Grant, a Kamloops resident of more than 20 years, asked Trudeau about the social housing situation in Canada.

"It could be stronger," she said. "If the federal government acknowledged the needs."

Grant said she was happy with the response she received from Trudeau.

"I was very happy that Mr. Trudeau was very conscious about Mr. Harper's stance on social housing," she said.

She was not only happy with his response, she was happy with his overall presentation.

"Mr. Trudeau has a strong background in a variety of platforms of the Liberal Party," she said.

Coun. Donovan Cavers questioned Trudeau about his stance on electoral reform.

Trudeau said he is opposed to proportional representation and prefers preferential ballots.

"It's not a complicated system," he said. "It's how we think."

Mayor Peter Milobar also attended. He said he was pleased with the attendance by Kamloops residents.

He said he was a little surprised by the turnout, adding that it was one of the larger turnouts he had seen for a visit from a leadership candidate.

"He's obviously a very accomplished public speaker," Milobar said.

Trudeau is asking Canadian citizens to vote for him to lead the Liberal Party of Canada and ultimately Canada as Prime Minister.

"Anyone can sign up for free and vote for the next leader of the Liberal Party," he said.

Trudeau is expected to visit Kelowna next on his tour.

— Jessica Wallace
jwallace@infotelnews.ca
(250)319-7494

About 600 people turned up for Justin Trudeau's meet and greet event at Thompson Rivers University.

Image Credit: InfoTel Multimedia

(JESSICA WALLACE / iNFOnews.ca)

News from © iNFOnews, 2013