Prime Minister Justin Trudeau worries about impact of 'F--- Trudeau' flags on his three kids: 'That's my daughter's last name'
The 52-year-old father of three wants his children to know he's working to make the world "a better place."
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau struggles to have his children understand the "sacrifice and service" that comes with leading the country. Trudeau appeared on a recent episode of "Inside The Village," a weekly podcast hosted by journalist Michael Friscolanti and radio personality Scott Sexsmith, to discuss his feelings about an upcoming federal election and the "amplification" of extremist right-wing views.
“I am determined to lead this party into the next election because we need to put all our tools together," Trudeau said. "And I am actually really excited about this fight. I think the opportunity to allow Canadians to make the best possible choice for the future is what we all get into politics for. To make a difference, to pitch an argument and to connect with Canadians in a way that gives them optimism and a realistic plan for the future, that's what we're in the business of and that's what I'm excited about.”
Despite his optimism, the 52-year-old said he's conscious of how "F— Trudeau" flags and public criticism impacts his children, 17-year-old Xavier, 15-year-old Ella-Grace and 10-year-old Hadrien, who he shares with Sophie Grégoire Trudeau.
"When you see an 'F Trudeau' flag, people don't think about it, but I do. That's my daughter's last name on that flag," he said. "That's the last name that my two sons will carry throughout their lives. It's hard for me to think about how to make them understand that it's all part of the sacrifice and service that we're choosing to do. That the good things we're doing that is making this world a better place, even if it means I'm skipping their basketball games or not there at the dance recitals..."
Trudeau said that even though there are people who are "very angry" he still believes "most Canadians are decent and thoughtful."
When the hosts suggested that the rise in "F— Trudeau" paraphernalia was "personal" instead of based on politics, the prime minister said he often considers what could have happened to warrant such anger.
"Canadian politics and Canadians in general used to be a little more civil around disagreements like that," he said. Trudeau said that while there's always been people with very "aggressive, negative views" they've been "amplified" online, along with misinformation, in a "self-feeding" cycle.
Despite the increase in extremist views, Trudeau said it would be "un-Canadian" to not give people the benefit of the doubt. He added that there is a "silent majority" of people who wonder what Trudeau has done to earn the ire of his critics.
"I am continually reminded of when I have real conversations with people, whether it's in a lunchroom at a plant or whether it's mainstreaming down a small, small town or ... sitting in a university classroom in the middle of a big city ... People are thoughtful, people are interested, and people are open to having real discussions about the challenges we're facing.”
Trudeau acknowledged that there are certain situations where there's nothing he can do or say to reason with those who believe misinformation.
"There are people that can't be reached right now," he said. "We all have family members. I've got a half brother who's in a pretty bad place since the pandemic. Love him, still do, always will, but can't have real conversations with him based on facts and reality. And that's a real proportion of our communities, of our families, of our country that has gone that way."
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