Justin Trudeau visits Humboldt

It was an exciting visit for many Humboldt residents.
Justin Trudeau, the son of former Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau, made a stop at the Bella Vista Inn in Humboldt as part of his leadership race on January 30.
Although the reason for Trudeau's cross-country tour is the Liberal leadership race, he said it is also to help the Liberal party refocus on what is important.
"We have to be focused not on rebuilding, not on strengthening the Liberal party but on strengthening this country," said Trudeau. "We need to connect with Canadians and remind people that it is not good enough to simply vote against the political parties we don't like. We need to once again be voting for. We need to stop being cynical about our leaders, about our political structures, about our own participation and capacity to shape the political decisions that shape this country."
Trudeau would like the Liberal party to focus on the people of Canada, instead of what the politicians and political parties feel are important.
One example he gave was the economy and wages. In the last 30 years, he noted, the Canadian economy has doubled, but the people have not seen the benefits.
"Average Canadian incomes have risen only about 13 per cent," said Trudeau. "People are struggling. People are feeling like we are not sharing in the prosperity."
He feels the Liberal party could be a voice for the people.
"The Liberal party needs to once again, become a political party that speaks to and for all Canadians," said Trudeau. "It doesn't pick and choose communities we want to represent. That is not easier, but it is a better fit."
He wants all Canadians to pull together and work to make their voices heard.
"We can build on solutions that are smart, that are evidence-based, that are pragmatic, anchored in the strong shared values from coast to coast," said Trudeau. "We need to focus on the future we are trying to build together."
Trudeau said Canadians have become more cynical towards politics in recent years, which has to change.
"We accept sound bytes and spin (instead of) real answers, band-aids that will hold until the next election cycle instead of long-term solutions," said Trudeau. "We need better. We deserve better. We need Members of Parliament that aren't focused on being the spokespeople for the Prime Minister in their ridings, but instead spokespeople and representatives for the people in their communities in Ottawa."
Considering all Canadians equal and wanting everyone's voice to be heard is something Trudeau says he learned from his father.
"(He told me) know your values. Know what's right," said Trudeau. "Listen to people, all people, but make the decision that is right for this country, not what is right to get you re-elected because the goal of politics is not to get re-elected. It is to serve your community and build a better country for the next generation. If you remember to focus on that, nobody has much influence over you but Canadians themselves."
He said people are hungry for a better option than what they currently have when it comes to federal politics.
Trudeau hopes to be part of that change and asked for everyone to vote in the Liberal leadership race.
"We need you to sign up, whether or not you are a Liberal, whether or not you are paid up in your dues," said Trudeau. "It doesn't matter anymore. The Liberal party has opened up the leadership race to all Canadians across the country as long as they are not active members of another political party. We will give you a vote in picking our leader because this one has to be chosen not just by Liberals but by all Canadians across the country. I think that is how we change the tone of politics across the country."
Anyone who wants to vote for Trudeau as the Federal Liberal Party leader can visit justin.ca.