TORONTO – Justin Trudeau will make history if he manages to lead the federal Liberals back to power. He will be the first offspring of a former prime minister to hold the office, the first prime minister to have represented the country’s smallest riding, and the first to have been born in Ottawa.
Trudeau was born in the nation’s capital on Christmas Day in 1971, when his father Pierre was 44 months into his first term as prime minister. (If the Liberals win the next federal election, Trudeau could be sworn in on the eve of his 44th birthday.)
While none of Canada’s 22 prime ministers are from Ottawa, six were born in Ontario: Stephen Harper, Paul Martin, Lester B. Pearson, John Diefenbaker, William Lyon Mackenzie King, and Arthur Meighen.
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Trudeau is the MP for the Quebec riding of Papineau, which, at only nine square kilometres, is the smallest in the country. But representing Quebec works in Trudeau’s favour when it comes to getting the top job.
Seven prime ministers were either born in Quebec or represented ridings in the province — more than any other province. Nova Scotia has given the country three prime ministers and there has been one each from New Brunswick, B.C. and Alberta. Four were born overseas.
Seven is also the number of prime ministers who took office while in their 40s — more than any other decade. (Joe Clark, Canada’s youngest PM, was one day shy of his 40th birthday when his mandate started.)
Statistically, Trudeau’s first name also plays in his favour. A lot of Canadian prime ministers had names that started with the letter “J.” There were five Johns, a Joe and a Jean.
Trudeau should hope he will be as successful as his father, who served as prime minister for 15 years and five months. Only William Lyon Mackenzie King and John A. MacDonald held the job longer, serving 22 years and 19 years respectively.
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