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CHOOSING TO MOVE FORWARD
An interview with The Right Honourable Justin Trudeau
By: Peter Szecsodi, Publisher, Canadian Building Trades Magazine

The Right Honourable Prime Minister teacher, PM Trudeau taught French and math at West Point Grey
Justin Trudeau, 23rd Prime Minister of Academy in Vancouver. A father of three, Xavier, Ella-Grace and
Canada, demonstrated, once again, Hadrien, PM Trudeau alongside his wife, Sophie Gregoire put family
his commitment and friendship to first, and donate any of their free time to support many charitable
Canada’s Building Trades Unions, causes.
when he took the time to sit down and
The Liberals election victory of 2015 took the party from 36 seats
be interviewed for this special edition
to 184, a giant swing from the previous nine years of Conservative
of the Building Trades Magazine. Over
rule and clear indicator that Canadians wanted change. Upon taking
the last four years under his
power in 2015, one of the first moves of this government was Bill
leadership, the Government of Canada
C-4. More than just another government bill, this bill repealed two
has undertaken a number of initiatives
pieces of anti-union legislation that Building Trades leaders,
that have benefited skilled trades
government relations experts, members, retirees and allies had
workers across this country. From apprenticeship grants to
fought against - C-525 and C-377. Since that first show of support,
supporting training and innovation, workers have had a seat at the
PM Trudeau has led a government that has shown, time and again,
table.
that they are willing to engage in meaningful conversations with
PM Trudeau was elected to the leadership of the Liberal Party of workers. All we can ask of Trudeau, and politicians from all parties
Canada in 2013, seven years after first being elected to the House – is to take the time to meet with those who will be most affected
of Commons representing the riding of Papineau. Son of Margaret by the legislation they’re voting on. We can’t always agree, and
Sinclair Trudeau and Pierre Elliott Trudeau, Canada’s 15th Prime there are many flaws we could point out – but a leader that has the
Minister, PM Trudeau is the eldest of three Trudeau brothers, Justin, time to allow questions to be asked and provide thoughtful answers,
Sasha and the late Michel. deserves at the least, our attention, if not our vote.
He graduated with an undergrad degree from McGill University in
1994 and then went on to earn a Bachelor of Education in 1998
from the University of British Columbia. During his career as a

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