A FTER FORMAL DIN NER, PM REL A XES WITH STUDENTS
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau began his day on a solemn note, placing a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery. He did the same at a tall cross which commemorates Canadians who died fighting alongside Americans in two world wars and Korea. Stone- faced, Trudeau crossed himself before both monuments as onlookers quietly snapped photos.
KICKING BACK A BIT
After the pomp and pageantry of an official White House visit behind him, a more relaxed Trudeau, with loose ned tie and rolled-up shirt- sleeves, held court with an enthusiastic group of university students Friday. The prime minister fielded questions on everything from the U.S. election campaign and Donald Trump to the mission in the Middle East and whether he’s accepting resumés. He was forthright in all his answers — except, perhaps, when it came to the presumptive Republican front- runner, whose combative, controversial campaign has both divided and riveted U.S. voters .“Canadians… find it hard to sustain anger and fear for very long. We are an optimistic, hopeful people; we know and generally like our neighbours,” Trudeau said, his audience erupting in laughter. “Whoa —I meant that within Canada, but it applies to the United States, too .” Whenever he has the chance to speak to disparate groups of people, Trudeau said, “you realize that the things that unite us are always far greater than the things that divide us.” He added, “Ultimately, I have confidence in the America electorate and I look forward to working with whomever you elect come November.”
FIELD TRIP
The prime minister surprised a group of eighth-graders from Georgia who were on a field tripto the capital. Their school principal was Canadian, but he wasn’t on the trip. So the adults in at- ten dance excited ly tried reaching him by phone they learned his prime minister was coming. “He’s going to freak out,” Cory Martin, dean of curriculum at Calvary Day School in Savannah, Ga., said of his colleague.
FRIENDLY WAY AHEAD
Trudeau also delivered a speech and took par tina hosted question- and- answer session sponsored by Canada 2020 and the Center for American Progress. The sustained health of progressive politics will have four pillars, he said: broad economic opportunity, transparency, innovation and diversity. “No progressive movement can succeed if it doesn’t embrace the fundamental truth that diversity is strength. Canadians know this—they live this truth ever y day, as do our American friends ,” he said .“Fear is easy. Friendship? That takes work. But Canada and the United States have proven, time and time again, that finding common ground is worth the effort.”
DESIGNER’ S DOUBLE WHAMMY
Fashion designer Lucian Matis knew Sophie Grégoire-Trudeau planned to wear one of his dresses to the White House state dinner, but he had no idea the prime minister ’s wife would bookend the first full day of the official visit to the U.S. by donning two of his designs. The Toronto- based designer was in a meeting and curious as to why his phone was buzzing incessantly. He soon discovered the answer as a flood of photos and social media posts streamed in from the welcoming ceremony at the White House Thursday. “I excused myself, I walked out, and I was floored. I was completely ecstatic. It was just an incredible experience,” Maris said. “I thought she looked wonderful. I thought she looked very elegant. And it’s exactly what we were going for,” he said.