Trudeau energized by anti-vaccine protests in Canada election few wanted

The prime minister trails the Conservatives in polls but has found new impetus in pursuit of a third term to secure his legacy

When he was pelted with a handful of gravel by anti-vaccine protesters last week, the Canadian prime minister, Justin Trudeau, joined an illustrious list of political leaders who have had things hurled at them by disgruntled citizens. His father, former prime minister Pierre Elliott Trudeau, had rocks (and tomatoes and eggs) thrown at his train car in the early 1980s.

But the gravel incident - which led to charges of assault with a weapon against the protester - has thrust the image of a prime minister on the defensive to the forefront of an election that, for many, is unwanted and has so far lacked a coherent theme.