Trudeau’s cross-country town halls return with new format and skeptics

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has been touring across Canada over the past 11 weeks, attending town hall meetings to hear the public’s concerns, but questions are being raised about whether or not he and his government are actually listening.

While some attendees are encouraged by Trudeau’s efforts, others have become cynical. Despite this, pundits suggest that town halls could serve the party well.

In 2016, Trudeau was treated like a rock star when he visited places such as Mississauga, Ontario, but when he ran for a third mandate in 2021, he was met with angry protesters at many campaign stops. One man in London, Ontario, even threw rocks at him.

The Prime Minister’s Office has changed the format of the town hall meetings because of security concerns.

To set up the tour, his office reached out to specific special-interest groups, such as unions, universities, and businesses, asking if they’d like to host a town hall. These groups are responsible for the guest lists, but must keep the events under wraps.

Attendees are told they can ask questions but must be respectful.

While most people who are invited to the events don’t know who the speaker is, they are simply told it will be a “high-ranking government official.”

The town halls are a rare opportunity for Canadians to air their grievances face-to-face with the prime minister, and many say they are grateful for the chance.

However, some caution that town halls can become a bubble that are not necessarily reflective of a nation’s mood.