to move up and down
Justin Trudeau elected new Liberal leader in landslide with 80% of vote
Justin Trudeau has been elected to lead the federal Liberal party in a resounding first-ballot win.
Trudeau, eldest son of former prime minister Pierre Trudeau and the Liberals’ undisputed star, swept 80% of the vote in a final field of six candidates.
The outcome was widely seen as a foregone conclusion since Trudeau launched his campaign last October. Now, the Liberals are hoping that the party’s undisputed rock star will be able to re-establish their reputation as the country’s natural governing party.
His ascension to the Liberal helm will, at least in the short term, put paid to the notion that the next election will be a polarized two-way fight between the Conservatives and New Democrats, with the Grits destined for oblivion.
Just the prospect of the 41-year-old Montreal MP’s victory was able to boost the Liberals, reduced to a third-place rump in 2011, back into contention in public opinion polls. They are now running even with or ahead of the ruling Conservatives. The NDP has been relegated to its traditional third place slot after vaulting into official Opposition status in 2011 for the first time in its history. (Michelle Siu for Postmedia News)
Voices from the backbench: Some MP opinions that their political parties don’t want you to know
With some Conservative backbenchers expressing concern that their opinions on abortion and other issues are being muzzled by the Prime Minister, the National Postp‘s Steve Murray looks at some other opinions MPs might have that go against their party lines
Prime Minister Stephen Harper welcomed temporary legal immigrants, pandas Er Shun and Da Mao, as the arrived via FedEx to Toronto on Monday. Harper officially signed for the pandas, making us wonder, “What other deliveries does he sign for?” Steve Murray has a few ideas.
PM’s cat becomes Reddit celebrity as Harper apparently mails glossy feline photo to letter writer
Do you want to talk to the Prime Minister about cats? Because the Prime Minister, apparently, wants to talk to you about cats.
Reddit user MyLastNameIsHO posted late Wednesday a letter a he claims a friend received from Stephen Harper responding to an inquiry about the cats at 24 Sussex.
In the thread named “Mr friend’s letter to the Prime Minister of Canada about his cats was replied to! (with his signature too),” the user presents the letter with a huge picture of the Harper family cat Stanley. (The Harper’s other cat Gypsy apparently has “no patience” for the camera). (Reddit user MyLastNameIsHO)
‘Just watch me’: Justin Trudeau invokes father’s famous words when asked if he can beat Stephen Harper
Liberal leadership frontrunner Justin Trudeau appears to have little problem embracing his father’s controversial legacy when it comes to taking potshots at Prime Minister Stephen Harper.
On a near-empty Porter Airlines flight from Halifax to Ottawa Tuesday evening, Trudeau was sent a note from a fellow passenger asking: “Can you really beat Harper?”
“Just watch me,” Trudeau wrote back, invoking Pierre Trudeau’s famous phrase during the 1970 October Crisis. (Screenshot/CP/Twitter)
‘Canada will never be a safe haven for zombies,’ Foreign Minister John Baird tells House of Commons
Canada’s founding prime minister John A. MacDonald would be rolling in his grave — if he was an undead zombie.
In a bizarre exchange in a place known for bizarre exchanges, Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird told the House of Commons Wednesday that “Canada will never be a safe haven for zombies.”
Baird was responding to a question from NDP MP Pat Martin who asked if Canada is working with the U.S. to ensure that its citizens don’t suffer from a case of the zombie apocalypse. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld)
Fighting raccoon crime and blaming the Liberals!: A look at some (possible) future Conservative government ad campaigns
On Wednesday, Prime Minister Harper outlined his government’s focus in his speech to the Conservative caucus. But how will he achieve his goals? Steve Murray imagines possible campaigns for the future of our great country (Canada).
Fresh road and rail blockade threats as chaos and confusion mar First Nations meeting
OTTAWA — A meeting scheduled between First Nations leaders and Prime Minister Stephen Harper was mired in chaos and confusion this morning, amid conflicting demands and claims from chiefs and new threats of road and rail blockades.
Shawn Atleo’s leadership as national chief of the Assembly of First Nations also appears to be on the line as chiefs demanded that he boycott the talks.
As arguments heated up over the form the meeting should take, protesting Attawapiskat chief Theresa Spence emerged today from the teepee in which she has been undertaking a month-long liquid diet to talk about the hardships native Canadians face and urged the government to “renew” the relationship. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Patrick Doyle)
Harper agrees to meet with First Nations leaders after weeks of protests
Prime Minister Stephen Harper has agreed to meet with aboriginal leaders on Jan. 11 to discuss their ongoing treaty concerns and to soothe rising tensions.
Earlier this week, Assembly of First Nations National Chief Shawn Atleo asked Harper and Gov. Gen. David Johnston to meet with chiefs on Jan. 24 — the one-year anniversary of Harper’s summit in Ottawa with aboriginal leaders — to help end ongoing hunger strikes and address lingering treaty issues.
Attawapiskat First Nation Chief Theresa Spence has been on a hunger strike since Dec. 11 in hopes of forcing Harper into talks with aboriginal leaders. Spence said a late-January meeting was not satisfactory and demanded a meeting with the prime minister in the next 48 hours. (Geoff Robins, Cole Burston/The Canadian Press)
It’s the end of…
Gary Clement’s week in review
Sovereignty ‘will happen when Quebecers are ready,’ Pauline Marois tells N.Y. audience
Quebec premier Pauline Marois reiterated her aim to move Quebec toward independence and said it values its relationship with the U.S.
“I hope that the people of Quebec will one day be a part of the concert of nations,” Marois said today in a speech to the Foreign Policy Association of New York. “This is an internal debate. This will happen when Quebecers are ready.”
Merging Canada’s provinces: From Pacific Columbia to East Saskitoba
Last week a group of Senators asked Atlantic Canadians to “think big” and consider a Maritime Union. Well, the Post’s Steve Murray thought even bigger
