Prime Minister Justin Trudeau visits tomato capital of Canada on Canada Day
'We are there for each other in times of difficulty and times of opportunity'
Even in forty degree weather, hundreds of sweaty people showed up on the main street of Leamington to meet Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Canada Day.
Erie Street was closed in front of Highbury Canco as Trudeau spent time walking through mobs of people wishing them a happy Canada Day.
Many were surprised to hear the prime minister would be coming to town, but as the self proclaimed tomato capital of Canada, it was a fitting backdrop as Trudeau's retaliatory tariffs on the U.S. went into effect today.
That includes a 10 per cent tariff on American-made ketchup.
His tour of Highbury Canco, which makes tomato paste and other products for companies such as French's and Heinz Kraft seemed, at least partially to reflect the trade dispute between Canada and the United States.
"We are there for each other in times of difficulty and times of opportunity, we lean on each other and we stand strong and that is what we do from coast to coast," said Prime Minister Trudeau standing on top of the Highbury Canco stairs addressing the public.
Sam Diab, the CEO of Highbury Canco stood alongside Trudeau as he delivered his speech. Diab says he had an opportunity to talk to the prime minister about the current trade environment.
"I made it clear that we support him and support the actions he has taken but we really need closure," said Diab. "We don't expect anything to change at least in the short term."
PM Trudeau and owner of Highbury Canco are out of the facility and everyone is standing for Canada's national anthem... I have to say even though it's smoking hot out here, I got chills <a href="https://twitter.com/CBCWindsor?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CBCWindsor</a> <a href="https://t.co/8mMoFbs23J">pic.twitter.com/8mMoFbs23J</a>
—@megdrobertsDiab, who says he was a tad nervous standing next to the prime minister in front of hundreds of people, says he has a better feeling about where trade is headed.
"I think I have more confidence that we are going to work towards a solution, seeing the leader of our country first hand and talking to him about the situation and the next steps, I think that really went a long way," he said.
Katie Butterworth drove from Windsor to see Trudeau in person. Butterworth says there is a standing joke among city and county residents that the province stops at London, Ont., but today the Town of Leamington got put on the map.
"I definitely think it is him trying to show support for the workers," she said, dressed in a Canadian flag.
"Personally it doesn't really matter if you are Liberal, NDP, Green or PC, it should all be Canadians supporting Canada, it doesn't matter what political party you associate with.