Earlier this week, it was announced that on Feb. 2 hunky Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will be visiting Nanaimo, the only planned B.C. stop on his cross-Canada town hall tour.
While the Vancouver resident in us felt snubbed, the Nanaimo homie in us felt proud. So why did Trudeau give some love to the Hub City and not Vanloser (trademark)? Let us count the ways.
- Vancouver’s last remaining town hall was torn down in October to make way for a 23-storey mixed-used condo development with a community feel called The Hall.
- Trudeau needs to grow his appeal with voters who still wear stonewash denim and white Velcro runners.
- More Nanaimoites will understand all the Bootsauce references Trudeau is known for peppering his speeches with.
- Last time Trudeau was in Vancouver visiting the mayor, Gregor Robertson was constantly on his phone texting. It was like Justin wasn’t even there. And at dinner, when there was one piece of unagi sashimi left, Gregor just ate it, without even asking if Justin wanted to share it with him.
- Nanaimo’s rich history of mayors who drank heavily and dressed as a pirate for public events is hard to beat.
- Like a spawning salmon returning to the river where it was born, Trudeau is returning to the town where he lost his virginity. Allegedly.
- Rolled-up shirtsleeves just look more camera-friendly in Nanaimo.
- Trudeau can finally haul out the slogan “Nanaimomentum.”
- 75 per cent of Vancouverites who were surveyed about whether they’d attend a town hall meeting with the prime minister couldn’t commit, saying they might have “a thing” that night but would definitely text later if they were available.
- Nanaimo likes to party.
