In the final days of the election, Liberal Party Leader Justin Trudeau made a pitch to progressive voters in Windsor-Essex.
During a stop at the University of Windsor Friday morning, he was greeted by a small crowd of protesters and supporters.
While the supporters chanted Trudeau's name, the dissenters shouted 'traitor' as the campaign buses arrived at the university. The protesters continued to shout profanities at Trudeau and his team.
At the media conference, Trudeau made an appeal to progressive voters to analyze all party platforms ahead of Election Day on Monday. He said the Liberal Party is the only party that can beat the Conservatives and prevent the country from moving backwards on climate change, gun laws, and the fight against the pandemic.
"More than that, we are the party with the best plan to fight climate change, the best plan to support families," said Trudeau.
But when asked about whether he would allow a Liberal candidate in Toronto who, as reported by the Toronto Star, was accused of sexual assault in 2019 to sit as a Liberal if he wins on Monday, Trudeau was non-committal.
"We're looking into it right now. We've asked him to pause the campaign and we're trying to find out more." Trudeau said of Spadina-Fort York Liberal candidate Kevin Vuong. When asked why he didn't tell Vuong to quit the race, a Liberal staffer could be heard saying, "next question." (UPDATE: The Liberal Party announced Saturday morning that Vuong "will no longer be a Liberal candidate, and should he be elected, he will not be a member of the Liberal caucus.”)
He also voiced support for the development of electric-vehicle manufacturing locally, though did did not detail how he would ensure those investments were made in Windsor.
"People who work here and have worked here for generations have demonstrated the extraordinary advantage of Canadian labour in global supply chains and we will continue to make that pitch," said Trudeau. "In demonstrating not sure climate leadership but also leadership in high quality manufacturing jobs that the world needs."
Trudeau also applauded local candidates Windsor-Tecumseh incumbent Irek Kusmierczyk, Windsor-West candidate Sandra Pupatello, and Essex candidate Audrey Festeryga.
Conservative Party of Canada Leader Erin O’Toole also made a stop in southwestern Ontario on Friday.
Election Day is Monday, September 20, 2021.