Trudeau celebrates first 100 days with a Twitter chat

[Photo: @TwitterCanada]

A hot dog is a sandwich and don’t give up on the Montreal Canadiens yet.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau took over Twitter Canada’s account on Friday for a Twitter chat with the masses about his #first100 days in office.

More than 14,000 questions were submitted via Twitter over 24 hours using either the #first100 or #100jours hashtag, ranging from the amusing to the expected.

Trudeau was asked for his opinion of Star Wars: The Force Awakens [“Loved it. Glad there was no Jar-Jar, literally and metaphorically”] and what he plans for his wife, Sophie, on Valentine’s Day [“It’s a surprise”].

“Is a hot dog a sandwich?” was the burning question from Gideon Turk.

“Yes. That way, when asked what you had for lunch, you can say ‘a sandwich.’ Sounds waaaay healthier,” the prime minister advised.

Ribbed for the Montreal Canadiens recent performance, Trudeau confirmed he’s still a fan.

A Grade 5/6 class from Delisle, Sask., asked Trudeau if he knew growing up that he wanted to be the prime minister.

“I was raised to know that I needed to make a difference,” he replied. “That’s why I chose to become a teacher; that’s why I became an activist in youth issues and environmental issues. I’ve always known I wanted to and needed to do something to have an impact on the world. I suspected that might include politics but it wasn’t a goal. The goal was making a difference and serving my community as best I could and it ended up being politics and as prime minister, just like my dad. Cheers.”

For the most part, the questions covered familiar territory for Trudeau and his election team.

He was asked about the new law addressing physician-assisted suicide [the committee is working], youth [he reiterated a plan to triple student summer jobs] and immigration [return us to being an open and generous country].

The Liberals still plan to double funding for the Canada Council for the Arts and provide help for Radio-Canada, Telefilm and other cultural organization, and redefining Canada’s relationship with First Nations remains a priority.

Small businesses can still expect a drop in their tax rate from 11 per cent to nine and the government is looking at reforming the Senate without out re-opening the Constitution.

Trudeau reiterated that the Liberal budget will include an increase of some sort in the federal child tax credit.

“After our budget, 9/10 families will get a bigger cheque every month, tax free,” he said.

It wasn’t entirely a love-in and most questions didn’t make it onto the official feed.

“Dear PM: how will u address Ont Lib $ Mismanagement + scandals, after u support them at rally last week?” asked Justyna Bartoszko.

Bill Brasky wanted to know: “‏Why did you vote for a motion supporting free votes on conscience issues for MP’s only to whip your caucus on assisted suicide?”

Harry Khachatrian asked: “You’ve spent $4.8 billion in 100 days. And, only $0.527B of that has been spent in Canada. Nice.”

Those were not among the 27 questions Trudeau responded to over the 45-minute chat.

He did reply to a question about the most striking moment of his first 100 days in office.

“When I welcomed the first new Canadians from Syria. A moment I will never forget,” Trudeau wrote.