Justin Trudeau tour: A behind-the-scenes look

Harrison Perkins films Justin Trudeau answering questions from students in the newsroom. Trudeau toured the college and answered questions on Thursday. Photo by John Boldrick.

By John Boldrick

“No pressure…just don’t screw it up.”

Those were the words uttered by reporter Taylor Renkema during a Monday morning meeting. While the words were said jokingly, they had some truth behind them.

Liberal leadership candidate Justin Trudeau visited Loyalist College on Thursday. He spent some time touring the school’s media wing. After the tour wrapped, Trudeau fielded questions in alumni hall.

While the visit was scheduled to last a little over an hour total, the preparation ran much deeper.

The TV section of QNet dedicated the whole week to Trudeau coverage. Online did background research while shaping their questions for the potential future leader of Canada. Radio conducted background interviews and prepped to go live on Thursday.

This wasn’t the first time that the news team has tackled a project together. Back in December, elementary school teachers picketed to protest bill 115. A number of reporters worked tirelessly on that story. The veterans are back again this time around.

“For stuff like this, it’s definitely easier as a team. Covering it with all the different ways that we’re going to do it is way too much for one person. It’s way too much for one person to try and get as good of coverage as we are getting,” said Sean Macey, a third year student.

The protests featured coverage by a few second year students. For this visit, more sophomores were involved. First year students were also encouraged to live tweet their experiences. The pressure was turned up a notch.

“It’s our first real year in the newsroom and, with the fact that he’s an important, prominent guy, you want to feel like you can prove that you’re going to be off to a good start and if you can do a really good job in second year, it kind of makes you think ‘wow, what can I do next year?’” said Brandon White, a second year student.

The photojournalism students were also involved in the coverage. They were tasked with many jobs while covering the event. For one student, seeing Trudeau was a long time coming.

“I’m 52 so I know Justin’s dad. I was 13 when he was born so it’s familiar. He’s young and he’s out there and he’s vivacious, and him coming to all the schools and the colleges, it really shows he wants that youth vote,” said Gail Paquette, a photojournalism student.

As it turns out, the preparation was justified.

The newsroom ran at a break neck pace Thursday morning. Notes, equipment and jobs were double, tripled and quadruple checked to make sure everything was perfect. Dress shirts were quickly buttoned and pressed.  Everybody was at the top of their game.

A group from the online team traveled upstairs early. They assembled in position and then the wait began. The team didn’t have to wait long for the guest of honour to arrive.

Trudeau was scheduled to arrive at 10 a.m. His car pulled up to the Loyalist entrance eight minutes early. The early arrival left some scrambling to get to their places.

“I look up, no van or anything and then all of a sudden there he is. There was no sort of warning or anything. I didn’t even see him pull up,” said Harrison Perkins, a third year student, “It was shocking and it was a little bit intense.”

After arrival, Trudeau toured the campus. He made stops in the photojournalism labs, the TV new media area and the journalism newsroom. Along the way, Trudeau fielded questions from members of the student media.

Second year journalism student Megan Mattice asked one of the questions. Mattice questioned Trudeau on how he balances his work and family life. The leadership candidate answered, saying that he doesn’t let his political life overtake him. It was an answer Mattice was happy with.

“I was very satisfied. It made me believe that he is not only a politician, but a real person too,” she said.

Following the tour, Trudeau, along with approximately 40 members of student media, made their way to alumni hall for a question and answer period. A media scrum followed, where Trudeau answered even more questions. The scrum ended just before 11 a.m.

Trudeau was at the school for about an hour. Yet, his influence on the students will likely have a long-term impact. The experience of reporting on a possible future prime minister is not easily forgotten.

“This experience was crazy, this is utter craziness. I have never experienced something so hectic but beautiful at the same time,” said Mattice.