VIDEO: Heading to Toronto for Taylor Swift? You might have to thank this guy

Ready for it? If you’re a Swiftie, this clip of the prime minister is worth watching.

Remember last year, when Justin Trudeau took to Twitter to try to convince the music icon to add some Canadian dates to her Eras Tour? It was July 2023, and Swift had just announced 14 new shows in Europe.

“It’s me, hi,” the PM replied to her tweet. “I know places in Canada would love to have you. So, don’t make it another cruel summer. We hope to see you soon.”

Not surprisingly, the tweet generated plenty of headlines — and a month later, Swift did add some Canadian shows: six in Toronto, scheduled for Nov. 14 to 16 and Nov. 21 to 23.

It’s me, hi. I know places in Canada would love to have you. So, don’t make it another cruel summer. We hope to see you soon.

— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) July 6, 2023

A guest on this week’s episode of our Inside the Village podcast, Trudeau was asked if he deserves any credit for Swift’s decision to come to Canada. 

“If I was a good politician, I’d take full credit for it,” he said. “The reality is I don’t know how much of a difference my tweet made. I think if it drew attention to the fact that there were so many Swifties who wanted shows up here…then I am happy to have played a small role in that.”

Asked if plans to attend any of the sold-out concerts, Trudeau laughed.

“I’m still trying to figure it out,” he said.

You can watch the full interview HERE or check out the audio version wherever you find your favourite podcasts.

Hosted by Scott Sexsmith and Michael Friscolanti, the Editor-in-Chief of Village Media, Inside the Village is a news and current affairs podcast that provides a weekly window into some of the best local journalism from across our chain of Ontario newsrooms — including the newly launched TorontoToday, serving the city’s downtown neighbourhoods.

TorontoToday features two free daily e-mail newsletters delivered straight to your inbox: The Stir (7 a.m.) and The Tone (3 p.m.). You can sign up for both newsletters HERE and HERE.

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