This year has also been a big election year for Canada. Justin Trudeau is Canada’s young, handsome and revolutionary and new Prime Minister. He is the son of former beloved Liberal Party Prime Minister, Pierre Trudeau. While his father was beloved for his elite intelligence and nuanced way of thinking, Justin Trudeau has become not only a beloved and revolutionary Prime Minister but also a sex-symbol across the globe. If you had not heard of Justin Trudeau before, it was nearly impossible to avoid his name this past month when he made his first official trip to the US as a the Canadian Prime Minister. Americans love him almost as much as Canadians do. He's a fierce feminist and wants to tackle climate change. Americans love him so much that two got on their knees and begged Trudeau to run in the United States. Check that out here.
His first official trip to the US marked the first official trip to the US by a Canadian Prime Minister in almost 20 years. This official trip included strengthening ties and the friendship between us and Canada, but it also included some serious bromance strengthening and enlightened the US on how great Justin Trudeau is. If you don’t already know how great he is, here are 10 reasons why:
1. He’s Hot; Let’s Just Say It
Let’s first off address the elephant in the room. Justin Trudeau is smoking hot and has become everyone’s new crush. Canada finally has their JFK. He’s the everything man. He’s been a teacher, engineer, bungee-jumping coach and an environmental geographer all before he got into politics. He even took part in a charity boxing match where he showed his muscles and rebellious tattoo. His young and good looks have attracted the attention and minds of the young people of Canada and across the globe.
2. He’s a Feminist
Justin Trudeau has made his relationship with feminism a foundational component of who he is as a Liberal Party Prime Minister. This past year at the World Economic Forum, he used his platform to give a speech about gender equality. At the World Economic Forum, he said, “We shouldn’t be afraid to use the word feminist. Men and women should use it to describe themselves whenever they want.” When asked why he appointed a gender equal cabinet, 15 men and 15 women, he answered, “Because it’s 2015." The next Canadian bank note will portray a Canadian woman. It’s about time our globe has "the stereotypical white male leader" go against the grain and urge men and the members of the global community to be feminists and not only deal but acknowledge the immense inequality we have.
3. He’s Kind of Endearingly Dorky
Even before Justin Trudeau was elected Prime Minister, he was inevitably in the spotlight due to who his father was. This resulted in several interviews and appearances that maybe now haunt one of the most powerful men in the world. He’s been on Canadian TV, showing a reporter his famous party trick of throwing himself downstairs.
For a while he rocked a musketeer mustache and beard. People on the internet also seemed to find his old Facebook posts on Buzzfeed. How can you not love this guy?
4. His Warm Refugee Welcome
Ever since Trudeau stepped in office, he has been a warm welcomer of refugees. On Christmas Day, he released a video urging refugees to make their way to Canada. Due to Trudeau’s strong voice in this revolution, Canada prepared to take on more than 35,000 refugees in early 2016. In his video, he urged, "This year, Canadians are welcoming thousands of Syrian refugees to our country, people who have been forced to flee their homeland due to war and conflict. I encourage all Canadians to show them a warm holiday welcome in keeping with our values of compassion, kindness and generosity.” He’s put the refugees up in hotels, traveled to airports to meet, greet and hand out coats and has been a leading foot in dissolving the refugee stigma.
5. He Was the Underdog
Everybody loves an underdog, and he was it. He was always third in the polls. He was criticized for being inexperienced and too young. However, he rocked the vote and won at the end of the day.
6. He Came to the US, Bromancing It Up with Obama
When Justin Trudeau made his first official trip to the US, it was a mark in North American history. It was the first official Canada visit in almost 20 years, but it also quickly turned into a "bro trip." As Obama introduced Trudeau, cracks about whose hockey team or beer is better came up. Check out the warm welcome here.
They exchanged ideas to keep US and Canada strong, as well exchanged hugs. They committed to working on environmental issues that affect both the US and Canada, as well their views of immigrants.
7. He’s Young!
He grew up during a time of great social change. While he may look not a day over 30, he's actually 44 years old; however, he's been a young adult through many decades of social change. He sees the sense of saving and helping Syrian refugees, and he is a strong LGBTQ ally. He was the first Canadian minister to march in the Toronto Pride parade. His young demeanor and attitude has made him one of the most beloved politicians. He’s admitted to smoking pot as a young adult and has made his voice on softening recreational drug use consequences today in office. His youthful mind has provided him with the right attitude in office that Canada needed.8. He’s Been a Leader in Climate Change
At the UN Climate Summit in France, Trudeau took responsibility for making sure Canada would be an intricate part of the global movements in climate change. He’s made moves with the Canadian provinces to develop carbon pricing policies. His goal is to move quickly and efficiently. Justin Trudeau’s commitment will hopefully lead influence on other world leaders in climate change.
9. His Wife
If you have a crush on Justin Trudeau, you probably have a crush on his beautiful wife, Sophie. With a degree of communications from Université de Montréal, she began working small jobs in an advertising school. After having a change of heart, she became a journalist, activist and a yoga instructor. She’s an ambassador for Because I Am a Girl, a non-profit group working to end gender inequality. She’s a fierce mother and new best friend of Michelle Obama and will be a first lady to watch throughout her time in office.