Trudeau rejects attack he can’t connect, paints ‘lucky’ upbringing as strength

VANCOUVER – Federal Liberal Party Leader Justin Trudeau says he’s not out of touch with most Canadians, despite his affluent upbringing.

Earlier this week, New Democrat Leader Tom Mulcair told party faithful that Trudeau just doesn’t understand the challenges faced by middle-class families.

But Trudeau swept aside the personal attack, saying he’s been lucky in life and he’s only motivated to give back and serve the community.

The son of former prime minister Pierre Trudeau made the comments while speaking to the Vancouver Board of Trade about the role of the middle-class in economic growth.

He began his speech to the crowd of nearly 800 business people by paying respects to former finance minister Jim Flaherty who died on Thursday.

The Liberals under Trudeau have been courting the middle-income voters in the run-up to the next election in October 2015.