Youth fundraiser gives school fighting chance
Trudeau attends as public figures get into ring to help kids build a better future
When Prime Minister Justin Trudeau set foot in a boxing ring Wednesday night, he said he was operating under strict rules dictated by his wife, Sophie GrégoireTrudeau.
“She told me there were three things I was, under no circumstances, allowed to do tonight,” Trudeau said in the middle of the ring at the TOHU Cité des arts du cirque.
The first: No swearing. “Last time I was in a boxing ring with a mic in my hand I had a little off-colour language,” he said to the laughs and cheers of the audience.
The second: No removing his shirt. “I am prime minister now, and I have to be responsible and respectable.”
And the third: No boxing.
Trudeau was speaking at a fundraising event called 12 Rounds of Hope for the Princes, to support the École de la relève, a program that aims to teach youth to build themselves a better future, and discourage dropping out.
The fundraiser has been in the works for about two years, said organizer and founder of the École de la relève Ali Nestor. The event exceeded his expectations, he said.
The boxer is the founder of Ali et les princes de la rue, the organization that oversees programs like École de la relève.
Seventeen public figures, artists, comedians and even journalists participated in one three-minute round of boxing each. They all went up against Nestor, who has been boxing for years. Trudeau stood in Nestor’s corner, wearing a red “Team Ness Martial” tracksuit and a Canada T-shirt, and offered the emeritus boxer encouragement. Ness Martial is Nestor’s training facility, which he founded in 1997.
Among the participants were federal Minister of Heritage Mélanie Joly, Environment Minister David Heurtel, and Villeray—StMichel—Parc-Extension borough Mayor Anie Samson. In her corner, acting as a coach in a black hoodie with Samson’s name emblazoned on the back in silver sequined letters, was Montreal Mayor Denis Coderre. The mayor gave Trudeau a big hug on stage before Samson’s match.
Joly, who is also a member of Parliament for Montréal-Nord, said she got involved through Nestor’s community connections, and because of the prime minister’s influence. “I thought it was important to support young people in having positive models so we can prevent dropping out of school,” she said before joining her fellow boxersfor-the-night.
Nestor and Trudeau’s relationship dates back about eight years. The two met before Trudeau had been elected MP for the Papineau riding — Nestor coached the prime minister in his fight against Conservative Senator Patrick Brazeau five years ago.
“We knew each other because he was a person who got involved with community work,” said Nestor. “He came to visit my organization, and that’s how he fell in love with boxing.”
Trudeau spoke of the heart and passion he saw in Nestor upon meeting him. “He hasn’t had it easy in life, but he succeeded because he was able to concentrate on what he had to offer, and now he teaches young people what they have to offer to our society, our community,” Trudeau said.