Trudeau’s Singapore Trek: From Big‑Time Business to Family Roots
What a Day! Two days of high‑profile talks, now a personal stroll
After a whirlwind of meetings with business leaders and ASEAN heads, Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s first visit to Singapore in his current role turned into a family‑history adventure. On Thursday afternoon – the 15th of November – he wandered into Fort Canning Park, a spot that’s as full of heritage as it is of lush trees.
Stop‑and‑Consider: The Estate of a 19th‑Century Influencer
- Esther Farquhar Bernard – the great‑great‑great‑great‑grandmother of the minister – was commemorated on a plaque at the park’s brick walls. She was the daughter of Major William Farquhar, the first British Resident of Singapore (1819‑1823), and Antoinette “Nonio” Clement, a Malaccan woman of French‑Malay ancestry.
- Trudeau paused, gazed at the plaque, and recorded a quick clip to share with his family back home. A tiny gesture, but it gave him a chance to connect with history in a very human way.
The Kingfisher Artistry and a Hint of Family Legacy
During the visit, a gift arrived: a plate topped with a beautifully rendered kingfisher from the National Museum’s William Farquhar Collection of natural history drawings. He also checked out the plaque marking William Clark Farquhar – another descendant of Major Farquhar who carried the family name forward.
“A Moving Moment” – Trudeau Reflects
“Seeing the history of my family was touching,” Trudeau said. “It’s amazing how all those cross‑roads and overlapping stories weave together to form a family tapestry.”
Fort Canning: Where History and The Cabinet Meet
Fort Canning Hill holds a special place not only for its botanical beauty but also for Major Farquhar himself. In 1819, he climbed the hill with Sir Stamford Raffles and raised a Union Jack, solidifying his claim over the new trading post.
Humor at NUS
Earlier that day, Trudeau entertained a group of National University of Singapore students. He shared a lighthearted take on the classic rivalry between Farquhar and Raffles, joking, “I’m not biased, I’ll defend my fifth‑time great‑grandfather.” He laughed while recounting that Farquhar was “banished” after a clash with Raffles over local customs and gambling.
“The harbour filled with little boats and people line up to say goodbye,” he chuckled. “It feels like a neat piece of history.”
His Mother’s Quest
The chain of curiosity began with Mrs. Margaret Trudeau, who is now 70, discovering these roots while working on a Canadian television special. The show followed famous Canadians tracing their genealogical roots, and Margaret’s expedition to Singapore revealed that Esther’s marriage to a British army officer ended in abandonment, leaving her to raise five children while living almost penniless.
She’s spent years piecing together her family story, aided by the National Library. “We’ve got a lot about the Sinclairs—my maiden name—but very little about my mother’s side. And I feel this connection even in my spirit,” she said.
Reviving Fort Canning – The Farquhar Garden
Plans are underway to bring new life to the park. Earlier this year, 18 trees were planted, aiming to establish the future Farquhar Garden. By June of next year, the new space will supplant the current Stamford Green and feature flora that Major Farquhar himself would have planted.
In Short
- Trudeau’s visit blended high‑level diplomacy with a personal dive into his ancestry.
- He walked through the park, examined plaques of ancestors, and shared a video with his family.
- The day was filled with humor, humility, and a renewed appreciation for the layers of history that shape today’s Singapore.
For an inside look at this event, check out the excerpt from The Straits Times (the story is copyrighted; permission is required for full reproduction).
