Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was met with a largely positive reception when he made an appearance at the 201st Royal St. John’s Regatta this afternoon, but not without some hecklers.
The Prime Minister, along with a massive security team, made their way down Quidi Vidi Lake from the boathouse to the timing tower, taking just shy of an hour to get down the small strip.
Trudeau was greeted with mostly smiles, handshakes and a lot of selfies with people of all ages around the lake. The vast majority were excited to see the Prime Minister, and one man even went out of his way to thank Trudeau for “legal weed.”
But, it wasn’t all cheers. One Regatta-goer took his opportunity with the PM to ask a question surrounding a federal bailout for Muskrat Falls. Trudeau responded to the man saying they would continue to work with Premier Dwight Ball to “clean up the mess the Conservatives left.”
One man took it into his own hands to boo @JustinTrudeau as he walked through the crowd.
Trudeau responds with a thank you for coming and enjoy the regatta! The boo’s were met with cheers.
Most are excited to meet the PM, others… not so much. @VOCMNEWS pic.twitter.com/2Nju8jE6Dm
— Ben Murphy (@BenMurphy590) August 7, 2019
Another man repeatedly booed the Prime Minister as he made his way through the crowd, calling him a traitor, among other things. Trudeau thanked the man for coming out, and told him to enjoy the Regatta, before other people in the crowd took it into their own hands to counteract the boos with loud cheers.
After about an hour, Trudeau made it to the timing tower where he gave the “Are you ready?” calls to launch the final race before lunch, before returning to the winner’s circle to present a winning team with medals and a trophy.
Earlier Stories
The Prime Minister launched the number seven Senior Female race at the Royal St. John’s Regatta today.
Prime Minister @JustinTrudeau starts the last race before the lunch break delivering the “ARE YOU READYYYY”’s.
People around the lake are pretty excited. @VOCMNEWS pic.twitter.com/8bL7Czggbz
— Ben Murphy (@BenMurphy590) August 7, 2019
It’s Justin Trudeau’s first time attending the Regatta as Prime Minister of Canada.
Someone of importance just rolled up.
Prime Minister @JustinTrudeau has arrived at the Royal St. John’s Regatta. @VOCMNEWS pic.twitter.com/OKnlazZNbK
— Ben Murphy (@BenMurphy590) August 7, 2019
. @JustinTrudeau is making his way through the crowd, shaking hands and taking pictures. A very warm receoption so far.@VOCMNEWS pic.twitter.com/tm5yDxLF4f
— Ben Murphy (@BenMurphy590) August 7, 2019
A crush of people awaited his motorcade as he arrived. Most were cheering or taking photos, but there was at least one boo in the crowd. Trudeau took it all in stride.
It’s slow going, but @JustinTrudeau is making his way through the crowd. So far, one guy thanked him for legal weed, another asked about a Muskrat Falls bailout.
Trudeau responded that they will keep working with Premier Ball to “fix the mess the conservatives left”@VOCMNEWS pic.twitter.com/WiK1mJFIBh
— Ben Murphy (@BenMurphy590) August 7, 2019
One man took it into his own hands to boo @JustinTrudeau as he walked through the crowd.
Trudeau responds with a thank you for coming and enjoy the regatta! The boo’s were met with cheers.
Most are excited to meet the PM, others… not so much. @VOCMNEWS pic.twitter.com/2Nju8jE6Dm
— Ben Murphy (@BenMurphy590) August 7, 2019
Many federal leaders over the years have circled the first Wednesday in August on their calendar. MP Seamus O’Regan said it was a great day to be at Quidi Vidi for anyone.
He said he wouldn’t miss a Regatta for anything. O’Regan says he’s talked about the Regatta to the Prime Minister before, but it’s something you have to experience because no one else on Earth has it.
Trudeau does not have any official address planned, but attended the Regatta luncheon as the two-hour lunch break has been restored.
VOCM’s Ben Murphy will be following the PM’s visit pondside.
Trudeau Looks to Take the High Road, But No Questions, at St. John’s Fundraiser
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau laid out some of the liberal party’s federal election strategies, emphasizing positivity, at a three-hundred-dollar a ticket Liberal Party fundraiser in St, John’s last night.
Over a hundred people were there including Premier Dwight Ball, and six of the seven MPs for Newfoundland and Labrador.
National and provincial media were also in attendance for the PM’s speech but were told that he would not be taking any questions.
The focus of Trudeau’s six minute speech was the Liberal’s approach for the upcoming federal election on October 21st. He says that the Liberal Party won’t be playing on people’s fears and anxiety like some politicians have been known to do.
He says that the dirty little secret about politics is that preying on people’s fears and anxieties can work when you are trying to get elected but it is very difficult to actually solve those problems once you are elected.
Trudeau went on to say that the Liberal Party will focus on caring for seniors, immigration, defending human rights, the benefits of free trade and educating young people.
He says with the amplification of social media it is becoming harder to actually get messages through.
He says that in the echo chamber that is now politics it is getting harder and harder to listen. And that’s why this election can’t just be driven by politicians giving elections on stages but by individual citizens stepping up and having real conversations about where we’re going as a community, a country and a world.
