NICHOLAS KAMM/AFP/GETTY IMAGES
Canada's prime minister is young and vibrant and handsome, his wife seems like the kind of smart lady I'd want as my BFF, and they have adorable children. Its like Canada wanted their own version of the Obama family. Most importantly though, he's a movement away from the conservative ideology of his predecessor, which means he stands for progress.
He speaks out on women's issues and proudly proclaims, "I am a feminst" and his cabinet contains an equal number of women and men, as well as a Muslim, an aboriginal minister, and representatives from remote provinces.
He's made a commitment to improve the lives of indigenous people in an effort to right some of the wrongs that Canada has done to them in the past.
He showed the country how to open their hearts to refugees by meeting them at the airport and saying, "This is a wonderful night where we get to show not just a planeload of new Canadians what Canada's all about, but we get to show the world how to open our hearts and welcome in people who are fleeing extraordinarily difficult situations."
Is he perfect? No. No leader ever is. But watching his inauguration I felt the same sense of hope and pride I felt when Obama was inaugurated. Granted, Canada's conservative era under Stephen Harper wasn't nearly as damaging to the country as ours was under George W. Bush. Also, Trudeau didn't have the huge obstacle of bringing affordable health care to Canadian citizens because they already have it. Still, the feeling of hope and relief when Justin Trudeau was elected was palpable. I can only hope that America gets to feel this way come November.
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