Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his family travelled to Tofino, BC on Thursday the Prime Minister’s Office has confirmed, despite publishing an itinerary entry for the day which placed Trudeau in Ottawa for “private meetings.”
Toronto Sun journalist Byran Passifiume was the first to report Trudeau’s whereabouts.
According to Global News’ Mercedes Stephenson, a PMO spokesperson confirmed Trudeau’s location.
“Yes, the PM is spending time in Tofino with family for a few days,” said the PMO spokesperson.
“And, following his participation in last night’s ceremony marking the first National Day for Truth & Reconciliation, he is speaking today with residential school survivors from across the country.”
Earlier this year, Trudeau instituted the national civic holiday as a commitment to the calls to action by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
The day is a statutory holiday which means that federal employees and federally regulated workers get to take the day off work.
“It is a day to reflect on the painful and lasting impacts of residential schools in Canada, and to honour survivors, their families, and their communities. It is also a day to remember the many children who never returned home, and an opportunity for us all to learn more, and to affirm the need for reconciliation and commit ourselves to the work ahead,” Trudeau said in a statement on the holiday.
This is not the first time that Trudeau’s itinerary didn’t match up with his actual whereabouts.
Last year in August, the PMO quietly changed Trudeau’s itinerary after he was spotted vacationing in Pointe au Baril, Ontario by locals.
Similarly, the official itinerary at the time also placed him in Ottawa for private meetings.
