Trudeau's star power draws a crowd at Thornhill community centre

Postcity.com
January 17, 2014 
By Bree Rody-Mantha

 

“I tried to move in close to get a picture and ended up back here,” said Tony Rizzuto, standing toward the back of a room at the Dufferin-Clark Community Centre in Thornhill. The room, packed to the brim with community members, mostly senior citizens, was buzzing with excitement from a brief visit from federal Liberal party leader Justin Trudeau.

Attendees crowded around Trudeau as if he were a pop star, patiently awaiting their turn to grab a photo with the son of former prime minister Pierre Elliot Trudeau.

The charismatic MP appeared alongside Vaughan Ward 4 councillor Sandra Yeung Racco, who recently launched her campaign to run in Thornhill’s provincial by-election.

With the vote occurring at the provincial level, Trudeau’s appearance may have seemed confounding to some. But Yeung Racco says the joint appearance is about a display of partnership and cooperation.

“We work very closely together,” said Yeung Racco. “When we try to do things on our own, we don’t get very far. You need your partners. I’m just very happy that Justin was able to come and join us and give us a good solid support.”

And for members of a generation more familiar with Pierre Trudeau’s reign as prime minister, his son’s appearance may have been enough to stir up some enthusiasm for the Liberal brand, even after a tumultuous year for the provincial Liberals plagued by scandal — including the controversial gas plant cancellations.

“If he’s half as good as his father, I’ll vote for him,” said Rizzuto on Trudeau. “[Pierre Trudeau] was one of the best prime ministers our country has ever seen.”

But Rizzuto is also paying attention to his local candidate, Sandra Yeung Racco. “I think she’s a person that, if you can show her what is good, she will fight for it.”