Downtown Barrie was abuzz with Liberal supporters this afternoon — and a few detractors, too — as party leader Justin Trudeau made a stop in town to drum up support for candidates in the two local ridings.
Flying Monkeys Craft Brewery on Dunlop Street East was filled with a sea of red as supporters packed the small space to get a glimpse of the current prime minister.
Trudeau arrived shortly after 3:30 p.m., Thursday, coming in through the back entrance and weaving his way through the several dozen people inside who wanted a photo, a hug or just to wish him well.
While Trudeau didn’t formally speak to reporters or answer any questions while on his tour through the brewery, the Liberal leader met with Flying Monkey employees to enjoy a sip of the company’s beer before returning to his waiting bus outside.Barrie-Innisfil Liberal candidate Lisa-Marie Wilson was on hand for the arrival of her party’s leader after participating in an all-candidates debate earlier in the morning at Bear Creek Secondary School.
Wilson told BarrieToday she welcomed the busy day and believes it actually helped her.
“I’m always up for a challenge," she said. "I don’t ever shy away from one, so I was very excited for today. Truthfully, having the prime minister come here to Barrie is only going to boost my energy to keep going. I am ready to lead Barrie-Innisfil.”
Trudeau’s visit to Barrie comes a little over a week since footage of the Liberal leader in brown-face makeup surfaced from several years ago.
With both local Liberal candidates having being a visible minority, BarrieToday asked Wilson for her take on the controversy.
“He apologized in a call to all candidates and to me it was genuine,” she said. “You go back 20 years ago in anybody’s life, we’ve all made mistakes. I think it is great that he can stand up, head held high and move forward by coming to towns and cities during this federal campaign.”
Barrie-Springwater-Oro-Medonte (BSOM) Liberal candidate Dr. Brian Kalliecharan also said he believes Trudeau’s apology was genuine and is ready to move forward.
“Justin has apologized and he is truly sorry and very transparent in his past actions,” said BSOM candidate. “But the key word there is 'past'. The man who is leading our country today, the man who has taken us from four years to now and will take us four years ahead, is a different person.”
With both local ridings having been Conservative for the last four years, Kalliecharan said he's confident heading into the Oct. 21 election that the BSOM race is one he can win.
“We are so excited that we have the prime minister here, which is an indication how strong our riding is," Kalliecharan said. "What was once a blue Conservative-leaning riding is red. It was just 86 votes in 2015. That gap is not only close, but it is a sign of red.”
A small group of protesters held signs and shouted at Trudeau as he approached his bus. Some wore masks and hollered expletives about Trudeau’s immigration policies and carbon-tax implementation. Those opposed to the Liberal leader were far outnumbered by those who supported him, a group that included nine-year-old Jaidyn Hynes.
Hynes was missing her Grade 4 classes today and was with her aunt when BarrieToday asked why she believed it was important to miss school to see Trudeau.
“It was only half the day,” said Hynes. “He is a very good man and I just wanted to give him a hug.”
