Trudeau hits Saint-Laurent campaign trail as clock ticks down to byelection

With just a week to go untilthe Saint-Laurent byelection, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was in the riding on Sunday taking selfies, shaking hands and campaigning with the Liberal party's candidate, Emmanuella Lambropoulos.

Lambropoulos, a 26-year-old teacher, won the Liberal nomination earlier this month in an upset that saw her beat former provincial immigration minister and presumed frontrunner Yolande James.

• How Emmanuella Lambropoulos scored an upset win in Saint-Laurent

"I am very happy to present to youEmmanuella, who entirely understands the riding, who grew up here, who has lived here her whole life, who is ready to take up the challenge to bring a strong voice for Saint-Laurent to Ottawa," saidTrudeauat her campaign headquarters, adding they share common ground as teachers.

Lambropoulos has been quietly campaigning since winning the nomination.

At first she was not scheduled to participate in a debate at Vanier College on Wednesday. But after being asked by a CBC reporter, Lambropoulos confirmed she would be there after resolving a scheduling conflict.

The Liberal Party has held the riding for nearly 30 years and many consider it to be a safe seat.

Advanced voting began last Friday and continues today.Election day is April 3. Other candidates in the byelection include:

• Jimmy Yu, who is running for the Conservative Party.
• Mathieu Auclair, who is running for the NDP.
• Daniel Green, who is running for the Green Party.
• William Fayad, who is running for the Bloc Qubcois.
• ChinookBlais-Leduc, who is running for the Rhinoceros Party.

PMcampaigned for other byelection candidates

Trudeau has been criticized for appearing at events for candidates running in byelections, withConservative House leader Candice Bergen questioninghow the campaigning would be expensed.

However, Trudeau was already in Montreal earlier in the day for the Greek Independence Day parade.

He has made appearances in support of candidates in two Ontario and two Alberta ridings, in addition toLambropoulos.