Canada has a new prime minister, one with a famous name and progressive views, including on LGBT rights.
Justin Trudeau of the Liberal Party won yesterday's highly anticipated election, besting incumbent Stephen Harper, a member of the Conservative Party, and Tom Mulcair of the leftist New Democratic Party.
Trudeau’s victory makes him the second-youngest prime minister in Canada’s history (the Ottawa native is only 43 years old and turns 44 on Christmas Day) and the first to succeed in a parent (he is the son of the late Pierre Trudeau, who was prime minister from 1968 to 1984, with a brief interruption).
Trudeau is noted most for his progressive political views, being a self-proclaimed feminist and passionate advocate for LGBT rights.
“We’re celebrating 10 years of taking the decision the Supreme Court in the U.S. just took,” Trudeau said during an interview with Canada's Global News at Toronto Pride this year, shortly after the U.S. marriage equality decision. “It’s a great day for freedom. It’s wonderful to see political leaders, celebrating this.”
Trudeau’s predecessor, Harper, made headlines in 2012 when anxiety arose that his administration was trying to undo the legality of same-sex marriage in Canada. Harper told the public there was nothing to worry about.
Watch Trudeau’s victory speech below.
Photo Rob Solerno
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