Early Life and Education of Justin Trudeau: A Complete Timeline

An overview of the childhood and early education of Justin Trudeau, highlighting the experiences that shaped the journey.

Justin Trudeau is the 23rd and current Prime Minister of Canada, holding office since 2015. He is also the leader of the Liberal Party, a position he has held since 2013. Trudeau's tenure as Prime Minister has been marked by a focus on social justice issues, including the legalization of cannabis and investments in social programs. His government has also addressed issues such as climate change and reconciliation with Indigenous peoples. Trudeau is the son of former Prime Minister Pierre Elliott Trudeau.

Sections (6)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals

1906: Great-Grandfather Immigrated to Canada

In 1906, Justin Trudeau's maternal great-grandfather, Thomas Bernard, immigrated to Penticton, British Columbia, from Makassar, Indonesia at age 15 with his family.

June 23, 1971: Pregnancy Announcement

On June 23, 1971, the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) announced that Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau's wife, Margaret Trudeau, was pregnant and due in December.

December 25, 1971: Justin Trudeau's Birth

Justin Trudeau was born on December 25, 1971, at 9:27 pm EST at the Ottawa Civic Hospital.

December 25, 1971: Justin Trudeau Born

On December 25, 1971, Justin Pierre James Trudeau was born. He is a Canadian politician who has served as the 23rd prime minister of Canada since 2015.

January 16, 1972: Baptism at Notre Dame Basilica

On January 16, 1972, Justin Trudeau was baptized at Ottawa's Notre Dame Basilica, marking his first public appearance.

April 14, 1972: Gala at National Arts Centre

On April 14, 1972, Justin Trudeau's parents hosted a gala at the National Arts Centre, where U.S. President Richard Nixon toasted to the future prime minister of Canada, Justin Pierre Trudeau.

December 25, 1973: Birth of Brother Alexandre

On December 25, 1973, Justin Trudeau's younger brother Alexandre (Sacha) was born.

October 2, 1975: Birth of Brother Michel

On October 2, 1975, Justin Trudeau's younger brother Michel was born.

1976: Enrolled in Rockcliffe Park Public School

In 1976, Justin Trudeau was enrolled in the French immersion program at Rockcliffe Park Public School.

1977: Parents Announced Separation

In 1977, when Justin Trudeau was five years old, his parents announced their separation.

September 1979: Moved to Stornoway and Mother Purchased New Home

In September 1979, Justin Trudeau and his brothers lived on the top floor of Stornoway while repairs continued, and his mother purchased a new home nearby in Ottawa's New Edinburgh neighbourhood.

1979: Nanny Interviewed

In October 1979, Justin Trudeau's nanny, Dianne Lavergne, was interviewed and quoted about Justin being a "mommy's boy".

February 1980: Returned to Prime Minister's Residence

In February 1980, Justin Trudeau and his brothers returned to the prime minister's official residence after his father was re-elected.

June 1984: Family Moved to Cormier House

In June 1984, after his father's retirement, Justin Trudeau and his family moved into his father's home at 1418 Pine Avenue, Montreal, known as Cormier House.

1984: Divorce Granted

In 1984, the Supreme Court of Ontario granted Justin Trudeau's parents a no-fault divorce.

1988: Supported John Turner in Federal Election

In 1988, Justin Trudeau supported the Liberal Party and offered his support to party leader John Turner in the federal election.

1998: Rediscovering Faith

In 1998, after the death of his brother Michel, Trudeau rediscovered his Catholic faith through participation in an Alpha course.

October 2000: Delivered Eulogy at Father's Funeral

In October 2000, Justin Trudeau delivered a prominent eulogy at his father's state funeral.

2002: Chaired Katimavik Youth Program

From 2002, Justin Trudeau chaired the Katimavik youth program.

2002: Studied Engineering at École Polytechnique de Montréal

From 2002, Justin Trudeau studied engineering at the École Polytechnique de Montréal, but did not graduate.

2002: Returned to Montreal for Further Studies

In 2002, Justin Trudeau returned to Montreal to further his studies after teaching in Vancouver.

June 2003: Reconnection with Sophie Grégoire

In June 2003, Trudeau reconnected with Sophie Grégoire, who was assigned as his co-host for a charity ball, leading to them dating several months later.

April 2004: Inauguration of the Trudeau Centre

In April 2004, Justin Trudeau and his brother Alexandre inaugurated the Trudeau Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies at the University of Toronto, which later became part of the Munk School of Global Affairs.

October 2004: Engagement to Sophie Grégoire

In October 2004, Justin Trudeau and Sophie Grégoire became engaged.

2004: Started Master's Degree at McGill

In 2004, Justin Trudeau started a master's degree in environmental geography at McGill but withdrew to seek public office.

May 28, 2005: Marriage to Sophie Grégoire

On May 28, 2005, Justin Trudeau married Sophie Grégoire in a ceremony at Montreal's Sainte-Madeleine d'Outremont Church.

2005: Fought Against Proposed Zinc Mine

In 2005, Justin Trudeau fought against a proposed $100-million zinc mine that he argued would poison the Nahanni River, a United Nations World Heritage Site located in the Northwest Territories.

September 17, 2006: Master of Ceremonies at Darfur Rally

On September 17, 2006, Justin Trudeau was the master of ceremonies at a Toronto rally organized by Roméo Dallaire, which called for Canadian participation in resolving the Darfur crisis.

October 2006: Criticized Quebec Nationalism

In October 2006, Justin Trudeau criticized Quebec nationalism, describing political nationalism as an "old idea from the 19th century" and not relevant to modern Quebec.

2006: Appointed Chair of the Liberal Party's Task Force on Youth Renewal

In 2006, Justin Trudeau was appointed as the chair of the Liberal Party's Task Force on Youth Renewal.

2006: Ended Chairmanship of Katimavik

Justin Trudeau's chairmanship of the Katimavik youth program ended in 2006.

2007: Starred in CBC Television Miniseries

In 2007, Justin Trudeau starred in the CBC Television miniseries "The Great War," portraying Major Talbot Mercer Papineau.

2008: Trudeau's Camping Memories

In 2008, Justin Trudeau said that he enjoyed camping with his father the most of all his early family outings.

2008: Elected to the House of Commons

In 2008, Justin Trudeau was elected to represent the riding of Papineau in the House of Commons.

2009: Liberal Party's Critic for Youth and Multiculturalism

In 2009, Justin Trudeau became the Liberal Party's Official Opposition critic for youth and multiculturalism.

2009: Trudeau's Comments on Parents' Marriage

In 2009, Justin Trudeau commented on his parents' marriage, stating that they loved each other but his mother was never an equal partner in his father's life.

2010: Critic for Citizenship and Immigration

In 2010, Justin Trudeau became the Liberal Party's critic for citizenship and immigration.

2010: Advocated for Increased Haiti Relief Efforts

In 2010, Justin Trudeau encouraged an increase in Canada's relief efforts after the 2010 Haiti earthquake and sought more accessible immigration procedures for Haitians moving to Canada.

August 2011: Assets of First Numbered Company Valued

As of August 2011, the first numbered company that Justin Trudeau and his brothers had shares in had assets of $1.2 million.

2011: Critic for Secondary Education and Sport

In 2011, Justin Trudeau was appointed as a critic for secondary education and sport.

2011: Statement on Personal Faith

In 2011, Trudeau stated, "My own personal faith is an extremely important part of who I am and the values that I try to lead with."

March 31, 2012: Won Charity Boxing Match Against Patrick Brazeau

On March 31, 2012, Justin Trudeau won a charity boxing match against Conservative senator Patrick Brazeau at the Hampton Inn in Ottawa.

June 2013: Relocation to Ottawa

In June 2013, Justin Trudeau and his wife sold their Montreal home and moved to a rented home in Ottawa's Rockcliffe Park.

July 2013: Established Blind Trust

In July 2013, Justin Trudeau fulfilled his pledge to park his assets, exclusive of real estate holdings, into a blind trust set up by BMO Private Banking.

2013: Gave up Seat at Nelson Mandela's Funeral

In 2013, Justin Trudeau chose to give up his seat at the funeral of Nelson Mandela, in deference to Irwin Cotler.

2013: Elected Leader of the Liberal Party

In 2013, Justin Trudeau was elected leader of the Liberal Party.

2015: Move to Rideau Cottage

After his 2015 electoral victory, Trudeau opted to live at Rideau Cottage, on the grounds of Rideau Hall.

2015: Led Liberal Party to Majority Government

In 2015, Justin Trudeau led the Liberal Party to a majority government in the federal election, becoming Prime Minister.

2016: Country Estate Land Estimated Value

In 2016, the country estate land given to Justin Trudeau and his brothers was estimated to be worth $2.7 million.

2020: Assault-Style Weapons Ban Announced

In 2020, Justin Trudeau's government announced an "assault-style" weapons ban in response to the Nova Scotia attacks.

August 2, 2023: Announcement of Separation

On August 2, 2023, Justin Trudeau announced that he and Sophie Grégoire had separated.