Bouquets of red carnations, lots of selfies and a couple of protesters led away in handcuffs ... Liberal leader Justin Trudeau’s whirlwind visit to Orillia Friday afternoon featured a bit of everything.
From the moment he arrived at the Mariposa Market until he left about a half hour later on a Liberal-banner-adorned campaign bus, Trudeau said the right things and seemed to pose for photos with just about anyone who asked.
“Everybody’s so happy and positive despite living in Doug Ford’s Ontario,” Trudeau said to loud cheers inside the packed downtown Orillia cafe, before listing what he feels his government has accomplished since taking office in 2015.
“We’re putting money into people’s pockets and fighting climate change. The choice is clear.”
With the crowd alternating chants between “Justin” and “four more years,” area residents filled the market to likely beyond capacity with many standing on benches to get a better view.
North Simcoe Liberal candidate Gerry Hawes said the time is right to return a Liberal to Parliament for the first time since 2006 when Paul DeVillers retired from politics.
“We’ve run a really positive, progressive campaign,” Hawes said.
Trudeau endorsed Hawes as a strong voice for the riding and commended the positive outlook of the many Ontario residents he’s met during the campaign.
"We need Gerry Hawes, we need all of you to get out on Monday,” he said. “Over the past four years, we showed how to create a strong economy. We’ve lifted 900,000 Canadians out of poverty, including 300,000 kids.”
Trudeau went on to point out the national unemployment rate is the lowest it’s been in 40 years and that Conservative leader Andrew Scheer unveiled his party’s platform a day before a long weekend.
“He hoped no one would notice,” Trudeau said, noting the Conservatives’ plan features $53 billion in government cuts. “That’s four times as many cuts as Doug Ford has inflicted in Ontario.”
Trudeau also said his government is working hard to combat climate change.
“We agree, as Liberals, we have to do more,” he said, noting many concrete steps taken over the past four years should pave the way for more work on the climate file.
“We put a price on pollution right across the country.”
Liz Riley, who ran against incumbent Bruce Stanton in 2015, said Trudeau’s visit to the riding shows the party executive sees Simcoe North potentially voting red in a big way Monday.
“He came because we’re in a good position to win,” Riley said, noting the local riding association’s hard work has also been noticed by the party. “We’re getting out the vote.”
Fred Larsen, who has run provincially for the Liberals, echoed Riley’s sentiments.
“I think first and foremost they (the party’s brain-trust) think this riding is in play for the Liberals,” Larsen said. “For the people who are here, it’s an opportunity to see our prime minister.”
Susan Liske travelled from Penetanguishene for a chance to see Trudeau.
“I’m a long-time Liberal, loyal and true,” she said. “We have a fantastic chance here to win. Everyone’s worked so hard. I’m thrilled to see Justin who’s worked so hard for our country. I’m really proud of him.”
Yasmine Bawa, 15, drove down Highway 11 with family and friends from Bracebridge.
“I’m taking civics this year and we’re studying different political parties and I really agree with Justin Trudeau,” she said. “A lot of others in my class feel the same way.”
But not everyone was happy Trudeau decided to swing by the riding.
About a dozen protesters armed with placards and megaphones voiced their displeasure of the current government.
Two teenage boys painted their faces brown to protest photos that show Trudeau dressed as Aladdin when he worked as a teacher.
“We should not have this in our country,” said Seth, who declined to give his last name. “He’s supposed to be a role model.”
A fellow protester, who identified himself as Good Samaratin, said Trudeau shouldn’t be idolized.
“This guy has done some evil things and is robbing us blind,” he said, adding that he ran Trudeau out of Barrie during a previous campaign stop there.
“It’s hard to believe that Canadians and veterans are homeless. He sold the corporation right down the piggy bank.”
The man said he only wore a yellow vest to Friday’s event “to bring light to the darkness.
“He’s a dictator, We’re in a serious battle between good and evil.”
Prior to Trudeau's arrival, a mother-and-daughter duo, holding aloft a large Bruce Stanton sign outside Mariposa Market, chanted anti-Trudeau slogans lustily as a crowd of Hawes' supporters held up their own, smaller red signs.
At one point, a man approached the women, got in their faces, and told them to stop yelling. There was an exchange of insults.
Members of the RCMP arrived on the scene and de-escalated the situation. However, a short while later, one of the RCMP officers told one of the women holding the Stanton sign to stop swearing or he would arrest her.
When she yelled in his face, he appeared to move to restrain her. At that point, it appeared she tried to push him away and that triggered a take-down and arrest of both women, who were taken away in handcuffs.
--With files from Dave Dawson
