Prime Minister Trudeau, Defence Minister Sajjan visit CFB Esquimalt

With HMCS Ottawa and its crew in the background, Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada, and Harjit Sajjan, Minister of National Defence, take part in a press conference at CFB Esquimalt on March 2. Photo by MCpl Chris Ward, MARPAC Imaging Services

Peter Mallett, Lookout Staff ~

Dressed in a navy emblazoned t-shirt, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau joined more than 700 military and civilian personnel for a five-kilometre run around CFB Esquimalt last Thursday morning, March 2.

Also serving as a fitness role model was Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan who kept in step with the 45-year-old Prime Minister.

Before the run, the Prime Minister and Defence Minister made their way to A-jetty for a visit to submarine HMCS Chicoutimi. Wearing a Naval Combat Dress jacket inscribed with his last name, Royal Canadian Navy ensign patch, and ship badges of both Chicoutimi and HMCS Ottawa, the Prime Minister climbed down the hatch into Chicoutimi.

After the run the two guests toured Ottawa, which was finalizing preparations for its Asia-Pacific deployment on Poseidon Cutlass 17, and spoke to many sailors on board.

Following lunch at the Wardroom, Prime Minister Trudeau and Minister Sajjan concluded their visit with a media scrum on A-Jetty. Flanked by a group of Ottawa sailors, Trudeau thanked CFB Esquimalt for their hospitality and chance to visit the submarine and warship before highlighting the recent announcements by his government and taking questions from the assembled media.

The Prime Minister then departed in his motorcade for his next engagement, a meeting with Victoria Mayor Lisa Helps. He wrapped up his two-day visit to British Columbia on March 3 in Vancouver, meeting with Premier Christy Clark.