Justin Trudeau's campaign for re-election brought him to Simcoe-Muskoka on Thursday, as the Liberal leader attempts to paint the region's ridings red.

The Liberal candidates running in Barrie's two ridings tell CTV News they're optimistic, even though voters here haven't sent a liberal to Ottawa in a decade. The vast majority of Barrie's constituents have checked blue on their ballots since 2006 when they ousted then-Liberal MP Aileen Carroll.

The 2015 federal election saw the liberals lose Barrie-Springwater-Oro-Medonte to the Conservatives by a mere 86 votes after a recount.

Trudeau exchanged hugs and handshakes alongside Barrie-Innisfil candidate, Lisa-Marie Wilson, and Barrie-Springwater-Oro-Medonte candidate, Brian Kalliecharan, at Flying Monkeys Craft Brewery in downtown Barrie.

Both candidates are visible minorities. They said they've accepted Trudeau's apology for wearing brown and blackface, and hope Canadians will do the same.

"Justin Trudeau, our prime minister, is not the same man he was 20 years ago. We all learn and grow. I didn't want something like that to distract from what we're voting for on October 21st," Wilson said.

"He's a man about diversity. He's a man about making sure that this country is well represented in Parliament. He's a man of his word, and I stand beside him 100 percent," Kalliecharan told CTV News.

Trudeau hit the hustings early this morning paddling on Lake Laurentian Conversation Area in Sudbury. He announced a re-elected Liberal government would do more for the environment by protecting 25 percent of Canada's oceans and land by 2025.

He also vowed to make sure kids get to experience the great outdoors. "So that by the time they reach grade 8, all Canadian kids will have had the opportunity to experience camping and learn important outdoor skills."

Rather than focusing his conservative attacks on federal party leader Andrew Scheer, Trudeau concentrated once again on Ontario Premier Doug Ford. When asked by reporters if he was misleading voters, Trudeau said "you know who misled voters? Doug Ford said he was for the people and then turned around and cut services for everyone while cutting taxes for the wealthiest."

The Liberal leader also made a campaign stop in Parry Sound today. He showed his support for his Parry Sound-Muskoka candidate, Trisha Cowie, in a riding that has no incumbent for the first time in 13 years.