Justin Trudeau visit attracts throng of supporters at Winnipeg rally

A raspy-voiced Justin Trudeau spoke to a throng of supporters in Winnipeg Saturday night at one of the Liberal party's final rallies before election night.

The event, held at the St. James Civic Centre, got underway just before 7 p.m., with Trudeau hitting the stage about 30 minutes into the program.

"We'll invest in Winnipeg now, not in two or three elections, because Winnipeg's success is key to all of Manitoba's success," Trudeau said.

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The first thing Liberals would do if elected, Trudeau said, is implement tax cuts for the middle class — specifically, for people earning between $45,000 and $90,000 per year.

The party would also introduce a nationwide child benefit that would replace the current Universal Child Care Benefit, he said.

"It will give nine out of 10 Canadian families, like those in Winnipeg, more money every month than they're getting from Stephen Harper," Trudeau said. "We will stop sending Stephen Harper's child benefit cheques to millionaires, which will mean we will be able to lift 315,000 kids out of poverty."

Liberals would also fund the completion of the second phase of Winnipeg's southwest transitway and create more affordable housing options for seniors, Trudeau said.

Funding Freedom Road

The Liberal leader also repeated his party's promise to help the province's First Nations people.

"We will build a renewed relationship with indigenous peoples on a nation to nation basis," he said.

"That will include, for example, a national public inquiry into missing and murdered indigenous women and girls. It will include $2.6 billion over four years for First Nations education and it will include a federal partner committed to the [Shoal Lake 40 First Nation] Freedom Road."

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Nearing the end of the event, Trudeau encouraged the crowd to make sure as many people as possible get out to vote on Monday.

"This is going to be a close election. Harper still surely has some tricks up his sleeve," said Trudeau. "Do whatever it takes [to ensure] that no vote and no voter gets left behind, not this time."

This was the third time Trudeau visited Winnipeg during the 2015 federal election campaign.

An organizer with the party estimated about 3,000 people attended the rally.