cross-section of about 150 local people, from farmers to city hall dignitaries, descended on the Rosedale Room at the Coast Hotel Thursday to hear Liberal Party leadership candidate Justin Trudeau, son of former Prime Minister Pierre Elliot Trudeau, speak and pay tribute in a living memorial to local Liberal veteran Hal Singleton, who is terminally ill with colon cancer.

At 40-years-old, the charismatic Trudeau may seem a bit young for the role of Prime Minister but, Joe Clark was a year younger when he got his mandate in 1979.

It is however, quirky to have a man running for the country’s highest office whose father was perhaps one of the greatest leaders in the history of Canadian politics

Even though Trudeau is completely untested as any kind of a leader, provincially or federally, he is a very popular name brand across the country. Seldom does a week go by where his name isn’t mentioned in national news broadcasts.One eastern political pundit said Trudeau is "famous for just being famous."

Aside from riding on the celebrated coattails of his family name, Trudeau’s popularity is hinged on not what he's done, but what he hasn't done.

Is he just a cheap knock-off emulating his father's flamboyant style and seeking celebrity status like Ben Mulrooney? Is the one-time backbencher really ready to carry a country on his shoulders? Maybe his "dreamy" eyes and nice hair are enough to convince the party membership that he's the best bet to take on the Tories in the next election. That remains to be seen.

Judging from who was in the crowd and looking for photo ops at the Coast Hotel Thursday, he has a good fan base. It will be interesting to see where his actual party support is going to come from.

But just the Trudeau name alone gives the country a small glimmer of hope.

Listen to an audio clip of the media scrum here.