Unsurprisingly, Justin Trudeau was nominated Sunday evening as the Liberal candidate for the Montreal riding of Papineau for the 2019 federal election.
Mr. Trudeau has represented the riding since 2008. He was re-elected in 2011 and 2015.
The riding of Papineau is a Liberal stronghold. It only escaped them once, in 2006, when the Bloc Quebecois' Vivian Barbot defeated then-cabinet minister Pierre Pettigrew.
Mr. Trudeau took the opportunity to launch an ode to his riding and his constituents, going so far as to say that it was they, not his father Pierre Trudeau (Prime Minister from 1968 to 1979 and 1980 to 1984), who really taught him to do politics.
"It was by getting to know each other that I discovered the kind of politician I wanted to be and that I needed to be," he told them.
The Liberal leader also said he was recommending to the candidates to "follow Papineau's pattern," urging them to meet people, knock on doors, ask the right questions and listen to the answers.
"It was when I met the parents [...] that I understood the needs of middle-class families and those who worked hard to be part of it," he said. It was while talking to retirees [...] that I realized the importance of supporting seniors. It is by interacting with young immigrants [...] that I realized the challenges of integration. "
Although he boasted of being a positive politician, Trudeau could not help but make some negative statements about the Conservative Party, "which is still the same party of Stephen Harper."
"It is the party that, for electoral gains, exploits the very real fear and worries of Canadians. It is the party that mistakenly thinks that if we give more to the rich, the economy will be good for everyone. It is the party that is wary of the diversity in our country and accepts derogatory comments about it, "he said.
Mr. Trudeau did not see fit to say a word about his NDP or Bloc opponents.
He also took the opportunity to test what appears to be the party's next electoral slogans. "Together, let's make Canada a better country for all Canadians," he exclaimed amidst loud applause from his supporters.