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In his brief speech, Trudeau returned to a similar idea again and again – faced with challenges, Canadians find strength by coming together.

“It’s a very easy way, playing up populism and patriotism and nationalism to move the dials in a way that can lead to votes in the short term, but doesn’t lead us anywhere towards solving the actual challenges we’re facing,” Trudeau said.

These challenges, he said – from income inequality, to climate change, to technological disruption – demand a unified response from Canadians.

“People arriving to this country, over the many generations, with the confidence that they were going to be able to work hard and build a better future yes, for themselves, but mostly for their kids and grandkids, is what has built this country.”

“And it has left us in a place that is enviable in the world, a country that – for the most part – instinctively understands that diversity, that differences, can be a source of strength, a source of resilience, a source of creativity and solutions.”

He reminded donors in attendance – who paid between $750 and $1,500 for a ticket to the evening – of his party’s record over the last four years on combatting climate change, reconciliation with Indigenous people, and investment in the middle class, and urged unity and ambition going into the election.

“Let’s draw together this extraordinary resilience and diversity we have, and set forward on an exciting path to succeed.”

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