Justin Trudeau is Canada's 23rd prime minister, after his election victory over incumbent Stephen Harper. Trudeau is the son of iconic PM Pierre Elliott Trudeau, and has promised large spending programs to benefit urban areas.
Royson James comments on the urban agenda that contributed to a game-changing election of Liberal Justin Trudeau to the position of prime minister earlier this week in Canada.
James writes: "Certainly, part of the calculus going forward is expectation that the Liberals will be good for cities. Cities — Toronto, Vancouver, parts of Alberta even — were good to Trudeau this election. They’ll be expecting the Liberals to reciprocate the love."
James tells a history of failed urban agendas, dating back to the 90s, when "[c]ampaigns and sustained howling from mayors of all stripes failed to reach the ears of successive prime ministers." That changed in this election, according to James: "the federal parties tripped over themselves to woo the urban voter with promises of infrastructure funding."
"Message finally received," writes James.
As for what the urban agenda Liberals have promised on route to the victory in this election: "The Liberals pledged $19.7 billion over 10 years on 'social infrastructure' targeted at new affordable housing and seniors’ facilities, plus tax breaks to those building affordable rental units."
Read the full story: Now, Trudeau must live up to his promises to cities: James
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