In tense campaign, Canada's Trudeau defends snapping at protester

Canada's Liberal Prime Minister Justin Trudeau boards his bus after an election campaign stop in Richmond, British Columbia Canada September 14, 2021. REUTERS/Carlos Osorio

RICHMOND, British Columbia (Reuters) - Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Tuesday defended his decision to shout at a protester who insulted his wife, Sophie Gregoire, as an increasingly tense election race entered its final days.

Trudeau, who has been heckled repeatedly by people protesting mandatory COVID-19 vaccinations (https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/canada-opposition-chief-lashes-partying-pm-trudeau-election-race-tightens-2021-09-13) and at one point was hit by gravel, reacted sharply on Monday when preparing for an outdoor interview ahead of the Sept. 20 vote.