Justin Trudeau’s trip through Quebec continued on Saturday as the Liberal leader paid a visit to the Trois-Rivieres Grand-Prix.
The location provided Trudeau the opportunity to make some comparisons with the impending campaign.
“The fact is we’re about to start a long race ourselves,” he said. “Mr. Harper seems to have stretched it out a little longer than necessary, which is going to cost Canadians a little more, but the Liberal Party of Canada is ready and we’re looking forward to the option.”
Trudeau received a warm welcome from locals despite the Liberals historically faring poorly in the region. He said he had fond memories of going to the race with his father, former Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau.
Later in the day, Trudeau took part in a local street fair and music festival in Hudson. He will fly out west for the official campaign launch, which is expected to take place on Sunday.
Meanwhile, Gilles Duceppe, whose Bloc Quebecois the Liberals are trailing in the polls, is expected to announce he will run in his former Montreal riding of Laurier-Sainte-Marie.
Duceppe held the riding from 1990 to 2001, but lost the seat to the NDP in the last federal election, after which he stepped down as Bloc Leader. Duceppe returned to the position in June.
