Liberal leader Michael Ignatieff’s home riding of Etobicoke-Lakeshore in Toronto just happens to be the same riding that a former St. Paul man is hoping to claim for the Conservative Party of Canada.
Bernard Trottier, St. Paul Regional High School class of 1983, son of the late Dr. Léon Trottier, is up against a major player in the political field in Canada’s largest city. Ignatieff was elected in Etobicoke-Lakeshore, a riding with a population of 115,000, in 2006 and returned to office in 2008 and, let’s not forget, he’s got the top job with the Liberal Party of Canada.
However, Trottier seems undeterred by the notoriety of his competitor and believes hometown values are serving him well in the campaign. Ignatieff has failed to spend much time in the riding over the years, charged Trottier, who lives in the riding unlike Ignatieff, and that’s something the St. Paul son is hoping to capitalize on.
“He has very high name recognition, but it’s not particularly positive so it’s not that daunting,” Trottier said of Ignatieff during a phone interview with the Journal last Thursday. “He has taken this riding for granted. He’s not spent any meaningful time here.”
Growing up in St. Paul, Trottier recalls the importance of knowing your neighbours and being involved in the community. It’s something Trottier has taken to the streets of Toronto.
“It’s good to know your neighbours, to get involved in your community no matter where you live,” Trottier said.
“Knocking on doors, people tell me two things - ‘Don’t make promises you can’t keep,’ and what they’re really saying is ‘Don’t make promises you can’t afford,’ and ‘Don’t forget who sent you’.”
While it’s Trottier’s first time as a candidate, he has always had a keen interest in politics and has volunteered in other campaigns.
Married with two children, Trottier is a senior consulting manager with IBM Global Business Services, working with Canadian and international companies to improve their competitiveness and profitability. He said his business experience has given him a strong understanding of the challenges facing the Canadian economy and an appreciation of what it will take for Canada to recover from the global recession.
“The biggest overall issue is the economy and jobs. People are grateful we have the best economy in the world but their concern is that what we’ve got going on here won’t last.”
With eastern Canada dependent on manufacturing, Trottier said the high Canadian dollar opens up opportunities for investing in equipment and technology, “but we’re certainly not selling cheap labour any more,” and that, he said, makes it more challenging for finding ways to compete.
While Trottier didn’t want to “jinx” his predictions for the election outcome by sharing them publicly, he did encourage voters to “focus on the issues as opposed to the personalities. I believe everybody that is running for office has a genuine interest in this country.”
Trottier’s father was a well-known doctor in St. Paul for many years and his mother was noted for her artistic talent. Léon died about three years ago and Terry lives in St. Albert.
Trottier sends “a big shout out” to everyone in the area that remembers him.
