Justin Trudeau says he is asking Canadians for a majority mandate

Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau says he is asking Canadians for a majority government on Oct. 19.

Trudeau made the comments during a campaign stop in Hamiltontoday.

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Asked about his party's prospects in the upcoming vote, the Liberal leader answered in French.

"Am I asking Canadians to vote for us? Yes. Am I asking them to vote for us across the country? Yes. Am I asking them for a majority government? Yes."

Justin Trudeau asks Canadians in French for a majority government

9 years ago

Duration 0:15

Trudeau asked for a majority in french but did not use the word in english during a stop at Mohawk college in Hamilton

Trudeau didnot repeat his comments in English.

When asked by a CBC reporter about the chances of a Liberal majority, Trudeau dodged, delivering a rambling two-minute answer in which the word "majority"was never mentioned. With that, the Liberal leader ended his question and answer session.

With just five days remaining in the campaign, the Liberals do not want to appear overconfident, despite their surge in the polls.

Trudeau's comments today prompted an e-mail from Liberal organizers to reporters covering the Trudeau campaign, reminding them both Conservative Leader Stephen Harper and NDP Leader Tom Mulcair have called on Canadians to give their parties a majority in the House of Commons.

The question that won't go away: Coalition?

Trudeau was also asked today about the possibility of co-operation or even a coalition with the NDP in the event of a minority Parliament.

The Liberal leader said his party has a history of working across the aisle in the House of Commons but steered clear of specifics.

"What Canadians don't want is politicians organizing backroom deals around who actually gets to wield power," Trudeau said.

"We will put the service of Canadians at the front of everything we do."

Justin Trudeau says Canadians don't want backroom deals

9 years ago

Duration 0:34

Trudeau asked Canadians for a majority for a 'strong choice' as he toured Mohawk College in Hamilton.

Tories target Trudeau over brothels, marijuana

Trudeau responded as well today to recent attacks from the Conservatives.

Harper has been using props, sound effects and piles of cash to warn voters their taxes would rise under a Liberal government. Trudeau said today that Harper could do "as many game show simulations as he likes."

The Liberal leader also commented on Conservative ads placed in Chinese and Punjabi publications alleging the Liberals want to make marijuana more easily available, legalize prostitution and open injection sites in more neighbourhoods.

Justin Trudeau says recent Conservative attack ads play up fear and division

9 years ago

Duration 0:54

Trudeau was reacting to Conservative attack ads in ethnic media outlets

"I think we've seen over the course of this campaign and indeed over the course of Mr. Harper's government that he never misses an opportunity to divide, to play up fear and division and even to directly mislead Canadians," Trudeau said.

The Liberal leader is continuing to campaign in Ontario today, making stops in St. Catharines and Welland before heading to Ajax tonight for a rally in the riding of Citizenship and Immigration Minister Chris Alexander.