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“In and around Metro Vancouver it’s not so much that the opposition is higher, but is that it’s so much more intense,” she said. “This is ground zero.”

Added veteran political analyst Norm Ruff: “The Kinder Morgan pipeline approval has no doubt cast a dark cloud over some of Justin’s support on the B.C. Lower Mainland, but might signify only a shower rather than a lasting rain on his parade.”

While Trudeau has hosted at least one “town hall” meeting in every province during his tour, British Columbians won’t get the same chance that Canadians in most provinces had to confront him on their most pressing issues.

Photo by DARRYL DYCK / CP

A spokeswoman noted that Trudeau, during a mid-December visit to B.C., attended a town-hall meeting sponsored by Global News. Trudeau was also grilled during a freewheeling, and occasionally confrontational, meeting last month with the editorial boards of The Vancouver Sun and The Province.

“This tour provides many great opportunities to engage directly with Canadians, and includes many different types of events, not only town halls,” said Andrée-Lyne Hallé.

“‎The PM’s participation at Chinese New Year events on Sunday will be another opportunity for him to meet and connect with Canadians — and that is what this tour is about.”

The main event Sunday to celebrate the Year of the Rooster is the annual parade along a 1.3-kilometre route from the Millennium Gate on Pender Street at 11 a.m. Later in the day the annual New Years banquet takes place at the Floata Seafood Restaurant.