Accompanied by wife Sophie and children Ella Grace, Xavier and Hadrien, the Prime Minister visited with children at the Municipality of Shelburne’s Out and About Day Camp, cooking s’mores over an open fire, answering lots of questions and giving high fives.
The visit was to highlight the Canada Child Benefit, implemented a year ago. “It really is making a difference in people’s lives,” he told journalists, with an estimated 300,000 fewer children living in poverty. “We believe in helping people get ahead and growing our nation.” The Prime Minter also hinted the federal government in partnership with the provinces are moving towards a child care strategy “that’s going to make a difference” as well as a housing strategy. “We’re committed to helping the middle class and people trying to join the middle class,” he said.
[Prime Minister Justin Trudeau arrives in Yarmouth for South Shore visit]
The Prime Minister also fielded questions from journalists on numerous topics, including the environment and the controversial $10.5 million payment by the Canadian government to Omar Khadr.
Following the media session, Trudeau made his way along a long line up of well wishers, stopping to shake hands and poses for selfies.
People had begun filing into the park more than two hours before the Prime Minister arrived, waiting for the opportunity to meet him and his family after they visited with children at the Municipality of Shelburne’s Out and About Day Camp.
“This might be a once in a lifetime opportunity to meet our Prime Minister and the nation’s leader,” said Suzy Atwood, tourism and community development coordinator for the Municipality of Barrington. “Being its Canada 150 this year, I thought why not come down and get a glimpse of him and may be get a selfie with him.”
Shelburne Town Councillor Rick Davis said the Prime Minister’s visit to the community meant a lot to him. “I think it’s probably the first time a sitting Prime Minster has ever set foot in Shelburne. I think it’s a great day.”
Nolan Young, who also serves on Shelburne Town Council, said he was “thrilled” with the visit. “This will help put Shelburne on the map.”
Trudeau also visited the Kejimkujik Seaside National and Historic Park on his way through to Halifax, where he will be the first Prime Minster to participate in the Halifax Pride Parade on July 22.
