Regina residents weigh in on expectations for PM Justin Trudeau

Canada is being introduced officially to Prime Minister Trudeau.

No, this isn’t the 1960s. Instead of Pierre, it’s now Justin Trudeau’s time on top. But how effective will he be as a leader?

As Trudeau and his new cabinet ministers were sworn in to lead the government, News Talk Radio wanted to find out if people in Regina are hopeful or nervous about how the new PM will lead.

Talking to people around Regina, opinions are as diverse as the country itself.

“I’d really like to be optimistic,” said Michelle Lang.

“I think I’m very hopeful for this country under Trudeau,” said another man in Regina.

Some, like Zach Pengelly, raise a concern about what they believe to be inexperience.

“I don’t have an overwhelming amount of confidence that a lot of the things that he’s promised are actually going to happen, that’s where a lot of my apprehension stems from,” he explained. “It’s not going to be the end of the world for Canada, it’s just, I’m a little bit apprehensious (sic) about us kind of taking one step forward and two steps back as it were.”

Others said they’re indifferent, suggesting that they’d like to give Trudeau some time as prime minister first before they’re able to assess how they think he’ll run Canada.

The one thing people seem to agree on is that some sort of change was needed in government.

In terms of what Trudeau should focus on first in his new role, there’s also no clear, emerging answer on that either from those in Saskatchewan. Everything from immigration to taxes to the war on drugs all seem to be top of mind.