Canada has a new prime minister. Justin Trudeau was sworn in yesterday as the country’s 23rd leader to hold that position. Now the charismatic young Trudeau must compete with a long-standing legacy and expectations for a more positive era for Canada.
Trudeau is no stranger to politics. He is the son of Pierre Trudeau, who first swept into office in 1968 on a wave of support dubbed "Trudeaumania." Minus a one-year interruption, the elder Trudeau was prime minister until 1984. He remains one of the few Canadian politicians known in America.
Justin Trudeau is a former school teacher and member of Parliament. At 43, he is the second youngest prime minister in Canadian history. His election signals a generational change that is reflected in his fairly young cabinet ministers.
Trudeau's victory may improve Canada's relations with the United States. The previous PM, Stephen Harper, resented President Barack Obama's failure to approve the Keystone XL pipeline from Alberta to Texas. The new Trudeau supports the pipeline, but he argues Canadian-U.S. relations should not hinge on the project.
