With the federal election less than a week away, Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau is making one last push for votes.
The incumbent prime minister made a brief campaign stop in Tilbury on Monday morning. As he exited his campaign bus, Trudeau and his family were greeted by dozens of supporters at Flapjacks Restaurant on Queen Street North.
According to Chatham-Kent-Leamington Liberal Candidate Katie Omstead, it was a diverse mix of residents from a variety of communities across the riding.
Photo via Katie Omstead Facebook
"It was a really exciting morning in Tilbury and I think all of Chatham-Kent," said Omstead. "Everyone was really excited to welcome Prime Minister Trudeau, his wife Sophie and their three kids. Lots of excitement in the air."
Trudeau made the Tilbury stop in between his rallies in Windsor and London. His visit to Tilbury was kept relatively informal compared to his stop in Windsor, where he spoke to the media for over half an hour, answering questions on a variety of topics including climate change and a coalition government.
"I love the fact that he stopped here to thank everyone and listen to some of the concerns right here in our riding," said Omstead. "Also, the fact that he stopped in a small town in Chatham-Kent. It shows that small towns and real issues are important."
According to Omstead, she has spoken to Trudeau many times during 2019 campaign and wanted to give residents a chance to get some one on one time with him during Monday's stop. She said one of the highlights on the visit was him getting to talk with the mother of Megan Patrick, a toddler from Stoney Point who is battling leukemia.
"I wanted all of the time [on Monday] to meet with community members," said Omstead. "He was able to meet "Mighty Megan" who's this incredible little girl from our community and her mom who has been fighting for more funding for pediatric cancer research and that ended up going into the Liberal Platform. So he was able to spend some time talking to both of them."
Canadians will head to the polls on October 21 to cast their ballots. Other candidates fro Chatham-Kent-Leamington include Conservative Party candidate Dave Epp, New Democratic Party candidate Tony Walsh, Green Party candidate Mark Vercouteren, People’s Party candidate John Balagtas, and Marijuana Party candidate Paul Coulbeck.